Apple Stock Gets Three Price-Target Hikes. Here's Why.

 


Apple (AAPL) stock has received three price-target hikes from Wall Street analysts this week. They see the consumer electronics giant benefiting from strong iPhone sales and the launch soon of an AI-powered Siri digital assistant.

Late Monday, Citi analyst Atif Malik reiterated his buy rating on Apple stock and upped his price target to 330 from 315.

But on the stock market today, Apple stock dipped 0.3% to close at 277.18.

Owners of iPhone 12 and 13 model handsets bought during the Covid pandemic of 2020 and 2021 are "entering their upgrade window," Malik said in a client note.


He sees robust iPhone 17 sales throughout 2026 as consumers upgrade their smartphones. Malik also noted the possibility that Apple could push the release of the base model iPhone 18 from fall 2026 to early 2027.

Earlier on Monday, Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives raised his price target on Apple stock to 350 from 320. He kept his outperform rating.

"2026 is going to finally be the year that Apple actually enters the AI Revolution," Ives said in a report.

First Steps In AI Strategy Revamp

Apple took the first steps to revamp its artificial intelligence strategy with its hiring of Amar Subramanya to lead its AI efforts, Ives said. Subramanya, who most recently served as corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft (MSFT), will join Apple as vice president of AI. Subramanya also previously worked at Google's DeepMind AI unit. He will report to Craig Federighi, head of Apple's software division.

John Giannandrea, Apple's senior vice president for machine learning and AI strategy, is stepping down after a period of slow progress on AI at the company.

Ives expects Apple to outline a comprehensive AI strategy early next year. That likely will include a deal to use Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google Gemini to power a more personalised Siri, he said.

"We believe no 'AI premium' is factored into Apple's stock at current prices, which makes this a compelling large-cap tech name to own into year-end and 2026," Ives said. "The AI monetisation piece could add $75 to $100 per share to the Apple story over the coming few years as it finally plays out."

He also believes that Chief Executive Tim Cook will remain CEO at Apple through at least the end of 2027, despite talk of a possible retirement.

Apple Stock Could Get Siri Boost

On Sunday, Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani increased his price target on Apple stock to 325 from 300 and maintained his outperform rating.

"Beyond a robust iPhone 17 cycle, focus will be on a Siri 2.0 launch in 'spring' 2026," Daryanani said in a client note. "We view this as critical and could help reshape Apple's narrative in AI and its valuation over time."

Siri 2.0 likely will debut in March ahead of the company's WWDC conference in June, Daryanani said. Like other analysts, he sees the new Siri powered by Google's Gemini.

Apple has a "tremendous opportunity" to monetise AI services and use AI to spur hardware upgrades, he said.

Recently, Apple stock experienced three price-target upgrades which pointed the way to the necessity of keeping track of what is going on in the market and planning one’s investments accordingly—just like companies taking expert advice from an Accountant in Ilford, Accountants in Croydon, or professional Tax Accountants in Ilford to handle their tax returns, VAT, bookkeeping, and business accounting effectively.

Recently, Apple stock experienced three price-target upgrades, which pointed the way to the necessity of keeping track of what is going on in the market and planning one’s investments accordingly just like companies taking expert advice from an Tax Accountant in Ilford, Accountants in Croydon, or professional Accountants in Ilford to handle their tax returns, VAT, bookkeeping, and business accounting effectively.

Source: https://www.investors.com/news/technology/apple-stock-3-price-target-hikes/




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