Apple stock hits all-time high
Apple stock jumped almost 4% on Monday to finish at an all-time high of $262.24. The massive gain came after reports that the new iPhone 17 is selling very well in the United States and China.
According to research firm Counterpoint, the sales of the iPhone 17 series have been 14% higher than the iPhone 16 during the same launch period. This strong beginning is giving confidence to investors that Apple can have a terrific final quarter of the year.
What’s behind the strong sales
Experts say the iPhone 17 base model is a big hit with customers. It offers better features at the same price as last year’s model.
Counterpoint senior analyst Mengmeng Zhang explained, “The base model iPhone 17 is very appealing. It has a better chip, an improved display, more storage, and a better selfie camera — all at the same price. With discounts and coupons, it’s a great deal for consumers.”
This value-for-money approach seems to have worked for Apple, especially with more consumers looking for affordable yet quality smartphones.
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Investors turn more bullish on Apple
The success of the iPhone 17 has made investors more optimistic about Apple’s future. Investment bank Loop Capital upgraded Apple’s shares from “hold” to “buy” and increased its price target from $226 to $315 per share.
Loop Capital analyst Ananda Baruah wrote that while Wall Street already expects Apple’s iPhone 17 series to perform well, there is still “significant upside potential” for the rest of 2027. In other words, Apple’s future could be even brighter than most think.
Tim cook strengthens ties in China
Confidence was also boosted by a visit to China by Apple CEO Tim Cook last week, where he met with government officials and Apple employees and attended a launch event for the iPhone Air, the other new product from the company.
South China Morning Post reports said that iPhone Air was sold out within minutes of being put on sale online. The quick sell-out shows that Apple’s products remain very popular in China — one of the most crucial markets for the company.
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Analysts expect strong earnings
In another positive signal, Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani wrote in a note on Sunday that Apple’s strong sales of its iPhone Air can send its share price even higher. He anticipates Apple to beat earnings estimates when it reports next week.
We think Apple is positioned to report upside later this month,” Daryanani wrote in a note to investors. Evercore has a “buy” rating for Apple, reflecting their confidence in the company’s growth.
Apple’s roller-coaster year
Although 2025 has been a wild ride for Apple’s stock, the prospects are improving. Apple stock is up by approximately 5% year to date, which is lower compared to other big tech stocks like Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet. However, over the last three months, Apple stock has surged 24%, which means momentum is back again.
This return is mostly the result of the strong sales of iPhone 17, new product launches, and positive investor sentiment. If Apple continues to perform like this, it could soon become one of this year’s top-performing technology stocks.
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