Apple Stock (AAPL) Today: Price, Forecasts and Key News on December 1, 2025 as Buffett Trims Stake

Apple Inc. (AAPL) is heading into December 2025 with its share price hovering just below record highs, even as Warren Buffett continues to cut his giant stake and global markets kick off the month in “risk‑off” mode. Around today’s session, Apple stock is trading near $279 per share, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $4.1 trillion and a trailing price‑to‑earnings (P/E) ratio around 37. ^[1]

At the same time, the iPhone 17 upgrade cycle, record services revenue and rising artificial‑intelligence (AI) ambitions are shaping the bull case, while antitrust risks and premium valuation keep bears engaged. Here’s a detailed look at Apple stock on December 1, 2025—including the latest news, forecasts and analyses investors are watching.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, stock recommendations or an offer to buy or sell securities.

1. Apple stock snapshot on December 1, 2025

Near record highs after a volatile year

Price & records: Apple recently closed at an all‑time high of $278.85 per share, with the 52‑week high at $280.38, only about half a percent above current levels. ^[2]
Valuation: TradingView data shows Apple at roughly 37x trailing earnings, with earnings per share (EPS) of about $7.49 over the last twelve months. ^[3]
Scale: At about $4.12 trillion in market value, Apple remains one of the most valuable companies on the planet and a core holding across major index ETFs like VOO, IVV, QQQ and XLK. ^[4]
Performance: Year‑to‑date, Apple has delivered roughly 12% total return, a respectable but not spectacular gain versus some AI‑heavy peers in the “Magnificent Seven.” ^[5]

In other words, AAPL is priced as a premium mega‑cap compounder, already discounting meaningful earnings growth ahead.

A cautious macro backdrop

Today’s trading takes place against a more defensive global backdrop:

Reuters’ Morning Bid notes that December opened in a “risk‑off” mood as hawkish comments from the Bank of Japan pressured global equities, even after record‑breaking Black Friday online spending. ^[6]
U.S. futures early Monday pointed lower for big‑tech‑heavy indices, with tech and crypto‑linked names under particular pressure, according to market rundowns from Investopedia. ^[7]

Despite this, Apple stock is holding close to its highs—a sign that investors see it as both a tech leader and a relative safe haven.

2. The Buffett effect: Berkshire trims, others rotate in

Berkshire Hathaway keeps selling Apple

One of the biggest storylines for Apple shareholders right now is Warren Buffett’s continued selling of AAPL:

Berkshire’s latest 13F filing shows its Apple stake down to about 238 million shares at the end of Q3 2025, from more than 900 million shares at its peak a few years ago—meaning over two‑thirds of the position has been unwound. ^[8]
Even after the sale, Apple remains Berkshire’s largest holding by market value, at roughly $60+ billion as of September 30, 2025. ^[9]
At the same time, Berkshire initiated a new stake of around $4.3 billion in Alphabet, highlighting a shift toward a more diversified big‑tech mix. ^[10]

A detailed breakdown from The Motley Fool argues that Buffett is trimming for two main reasons:

Concentration and portfolio risk, given how large Apple had become in Berkshire’s equity book, and
Valuation, with Apple trading at a noticeably higher multiple than its own history and some peers. ^[11]

An AInvest analysis adds that Berkshire’s move may also reflect concern about “AI bubble” pricing across mega‑cap tech and a desire to hold more cash in an uncertain macro environment. ^[12]

But other institutions are quietly buying

Buffett’s selling doesn’t mean institutions are abandoning Apple:

Carret Asset Management recently disclosed it cut its Apple stake by about 3%, selling just over 10,000 shares. ^[13]
Meanwhile, Strs Ohio, a large U.S. pension fund, increased its Apple position by about 3.1% in the latest quarter. ^[14]
Wealth managers Impact Partnership Wealth LLC and HBK Sorce Advisory LLC also reported modest Apple purchases, boosting their stakes by about 4.2% and 0.6%, respectively. ^[15]

And in a striking counter‑move to Buffett, billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel recently pivoted into Apple:

Thiel’s fund sold roughly 538,000 Nvidia shares and 208,000 Tesla shares in Q3 2025, raising about $166 million. ^[16]
It then bought around 79,000 Apple shares and 49,000 Microsoft shares, investing about $43 million and leaving over $120 million in cash—a notable shift toward “defensive” mega‑cap tech with strong cash flows. ^[17]

Taken together, Buffett is de‑risking from a massive legacy position, but other institutional investors are still happy to accumulate Apple at current levels, underscoring the stock’s mixed yet resilient sentiment profile.

3. Earnings check: Q4 2025 caps a record year for Apple

Apple’s fundamentals remain a key anchor for the stock price.

Q4 2025 results: new records

On October 30, 2025, Apple reported fiscal Q4 2025 (September quarter) results that beat expectations: ^[18]

Revenue: $102.5 billion, up 8% year‑over‑year, a September‑quarter record.
Diluted EPS: $1.85, up 13% year‑over‑year on an adjusted basis.
iPhone & Services:
- Record September‑quarter revenue for iPhone, boosted by the iPhone 17 launch.
- Services revenue reached an all‑time high, helping drive margin expansion.
Full‑year FY25: Revenue of about $416 billion with double‑digit EPS growth, and Apple’s active device base hit a new all‑time high across every product category.

The company also declared a $0.26 per‑share dividend payable on November 13, 2025, in line with its strategy of returning cash via dividends and buybacks. ^[19]

Q3 2025: strong iPhone and services momentum

A Barchart review of Apple’s Q3 2025 (June quarter) numbers highlighted: ^[20]

Revenue: $94 billion, up about 10% year‑over‑year.
EPS: $1.57, up 12%.
Segment highlights:
- iPhone revenue up 13.5% year‑over‑year to $44.6 billion.
- Mac revenue up nearly 15% to $8.1 billion.
- Services revenue reached roughly $27.4 billion, up over 13%.
- iPad revenue declined about 8%, partly offsetting strength elsewhere.
Guidance at the time: Management guided mid‑to‑high single‑digit revenue growth and gross margins between 46% and 47% for Q4.

In short, Apple’s earnings engine is firing again after a slower period in 2023–24, with services and high‑end iPhones doing much of the heavy lifting.

4. iPhone 17 and smartphone leadership: the growth backbone

iPhone 17 launch and demand

Apple’s September launch of the iPhone 17 lineup—including iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and the new iPhone Air—has been one of the main near‑term drivers for the stock. In its Q4 earnings release, CEO Tim Cook described it as Apple’s “best iPhone lineup ever”, pointing to strong initial demand heading into the holiday season. ^[21]

Barchart notes that Wedbush Securities recently raised its Apple price target to $310, explicitly citing “early strong demand signs” for iPhone 17 as one of the key drivers. ^[22]

U.S. carriers are also leaning heavily into the cycle—T‑Mobile, for example, has promoted “iPhone 17 on us” trade‑in offers for certain plans, reinforcing the push to upgrade older devices. ^[23]

Apple poised to overtake Samsung in smartphones?

Beyond the quarter‑to‑quarter numbers, the iPhone 17 cycle may reshape global smartphone rankings:

TechRadar, citing Counterpoint Research, reports that Apple is on track to overtake Samsung as the world’s largest smartphone vendor in 2025 for the first time in 14 years, with projected shipments of about 243 million iPhones versus 235 million Samsung devices. ^[24]
The report points to strong demand for iPhone 17 and a massive installed base—including millions of pre‑owned iPhones that keep users locked into Apple’s ecosystem.

If those projections hold, the iPhone franchise will remain Apple’s primary hardware growth driver, while also feeding recurring Services revenue from App Store, iCloud, Apple Music and more.

5. Wall Street and model‑based forecasts for Apple stock

Analyst ratings: “Buy” overall, but upside looks limited near term

StockAnalysis, which aggregates Wall Street research, shows that: ^[25]

Apple currently carries an average rating of “Buy.”
Recent analyst actions include:
- Wells Fargo maintaining a Buy rating and raising its target to $300.
- Citi reiterating a Strong Buy with a target up to $315.
- J.P. Morgan lifting its target to $305, also with a Buy/Overweight stance.

Barchart’s Apple stock deep‑dive adds further color: ^[26]

Out of 38 analysts,
- 18 rate Apple a “Strong Buy”,
- 2 rate it a “Moderate Buy”,
- 16 say “Hold”,
- and only 2 lean “Sell.”
Barchart notes that the average 12‑month price target around the mid‑$240s now sits below Apple’s current price near $279, implying some downside if consensus proves accurate.
However, Wedbush’s Street‑high target of $310 still implies low‑double‑digit upside from current levels, assuming the iPhone 17 cycle and AI initiatives deliver.

Bottom line: Wall Street generally likes Apple, but as the stock has outrun many price targets, the risk–reward is no longer one‑sidedly bullish in the near term.

Fundamental forecasts: steady high‑single‑digit growth

Consensus forecasts compiled by StockAnalysis suggest robust, if not explosive, growth: ^[27]

Revenue:
- FY2025 (just ended): ≈ $416 billion.
- FY2026: ≈ $457 billion (+~9.9%).
- FY2027: ≈ $486 billion (+~6.4%).
EPS:
- FY2025: ≈ $7.46.
- FY2026: ≈ $8.36 (+~12%).
- FY2027: ≈ $9.20 (+~10%).

On these numbers, the forward P/E multiple compresses into the low 30s if the price stays flat and earnings grow as projected. ^[28]

Algorithmic models: from cautious one‑year view to long‑term optimism

Retail‑oriented algorithmic sites paint a more volatile picture.

CoinCodex (technical and pattern‑based model) currently shows: ^[29]

Short‑term technical sentiment:
- 92% of tracked indicators are bullish, 8% bearish, as of December 1, 2025.
- Many short‑ and long‑term moving averages flash “BUY” signals.
Short‑ to medium‑term price calls:
- December 2025 trading band: $278.36 – $309.49, with an average around $298.85—about 11% above recent levels.
- 1‑year model forecast: about $247.48, which would be roughly 11% below the current price, implying risk of a pullback after the recent run‑up.
Long‑term projections:
- 2030 model target around $410 (roughly +47% versus today).
- Algorithmic timelines project Apple hitting $500 in 2029, $1,000 in the 2030s and $2,000 in the 2040s, though these are highly speculative and sensitive to assumptions.

StockScan, another forecast platform, is more straightforwardly bullish: ^[30]

It sees an average price of about $504 for Apple stock in 2028—around 81% above today’s price—
and an average around $349 for 2030, implying roughly 25% upside versus current levels.

These models highlight the core tension around Apple today: technical momentum is strong, and long‑term growth stories look attractive, but valuations and mean‑reversion risk could limit returns over the next 12–18 months.

6. Valuation and technical picture: is the good news priced in?

Rich but not outrageous valuation

TradingView data implies that at current prices Apple trades at roughly: ^[31]

P/E (TTM): ≈ 37x
Dividend yield: ≈ 0.37%
Net income: ≈ $112 billion on $416 billion of revenue

A recent analysis from DailyForex argues that Apple’s valuation premium versus the Nasdaq‑100—where the index trades closer to 35x earnings—means “a lot of the good news is already in the price.” ^[32]

The article even lays out a short‑side trading idea, suggesting the risk/reward favors a pullback toward the mid‑$230s–$240s if sentiment cools or earnings disappoint. ^[33]

Technicals: strong uptrend but momentum cooling

On the charts (without showing them):

TradingView’s aggregated indicator set rates Apple “Neutral” overall—neither a screaming buy nor an obvious sell—despite the strong uptrend. ^[34]
The stock has advanced almost 40% over the last six months, but candle ranges have narrowed as price pushes against long‑term resistance trendlines, according to multiple user analyses on TradingView’s idea feed. ^[35]

This is consistent with the idea that Apple is in a mature bull trend: still structurally strong, but more vulnerable to corrections when macro news or company‑specific headlines disappoint.

7. Legal and regulatory overhangs: India and beyond

One of the most important “non‑earnings” stories hanging over Apple is its escalating antitrust fight in India.

India’s CCI case and potential $38 billion penalty

Recent coverage from AInvest and TradingView highlights: ^[36]

Apple is challenging the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over a revised penalty framework that could allow fines up to 10% of a company’s global turnover for antitrust violations.
For Apple, that could theoretically translate into penalties as high as $38 billion, based on its global revenue from 2022–2024.
The dispute stems from Apple’s App Store rules in India—including restrictions on third‑party payment processors and its standard ~30% in‑app purchase fee.
Apple argues that basing fines on global revenue is unconstitutional and disproportionate, contending that any penalty should apply only to Indian‑market revenues.
A key hearing in the case is scheduled for early December 2025, making this a near‑term headline risk.

While a maximum penalty seems unlikely, even a smaller fine or mandated change to App Store economics in India could set a precedent for other regulators and potentially pressure Apple’s Services margins.

Broader regulatory pressure

Apple is also dealing with:

Ongoing scrutiny from European regulators under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) over how open its ecosystems must be to alternative app stores, payment systems and map/advertising services. ^[37]
Global debates about platform fees, default app choice and data‑sharing, all of which could chip away at Apple’s high‑margin Services revenue over time.

Regulation is not a new risk for Apple, but the combination of DMA in Europe and CCI action in India makes 2025–26 an unusually sensitive period.

8. Apple in the trillion‑dollar elite

Investors Business Daily recently highlighted Apple as one of 11 “trillion‑dollar club” companies, noting that mega‑caps like Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Nvidia now dominate major U.S. indices. ^[38]

With a $4+ trillion valuation and heavy weighting in ETFs like SPY, VTI, QQQ and VUG, Apple’s stock movements have outsized influence on:

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq‑100 performance,
Sector ETFs in technology and growth, and
Retail portfolios that track broad market funds.

This cuts both ways:

In bull markets, Apple’s size and stability can act as an anchor of strength.
In corrections, concentrated ownership and ETF flows can amplify downside moves as investors de‑risk.

9. Key catalysts investors are watching into 2026

Looking beyond today’s tape action, here are the main future catalysts that could move Apple stock:

Regulatory rulings in India (Dec 2025 and beyond)
- Any CCI decision on fines or App Store changes will be closely watched, both for direct financial impact and for precedent in other markets. ^[39]
Further clarity on AI strategy
- Investors are eager for more detail on Apple’s on‑device AI roadmap, services integration, and potential new hardware (e.g., AI‑centric features across the iPhone, Mac and Vision Pro ecosystem). ^[40]
Sustainability of the iPhone 17 cycle
- Shipment data in early 2026 will reveal whether the strong launch demand is part of a multi‑year super‑cycle or a front‑loaded spike. ^[41]
Next earnings reports and guidance
- With consensus modeling high‑single‑digit revenue growth and double‑digit EPS growth, any deviation in guidance could re‑rate the stock quickly, up or down. ^[42]
Berkshire’s next 13F filing
- Markets will watch whether Buffett continues to trim Apple, stops selling, or—less likely—begins adding again. Further sales could reinforce the “richly valued” narrative, while a pause might be interpreted as a vote of renewed confidence. ^[43]

10. What it all means for Apple shareholders

As of December 1, 2025, Apple stock sits at an interesting crossroads:

Bullish factors
- Near‑record earnings and revenue, with strong growth in iPhone and high‑margin Services. ^[44]
- A promising iPhone 17 cycle that could push Apple to the top of global smartphone shipments. ^[45]
- Long‑term forecasts—from Wall Street estimates to algorithmic models—anticipate continued revenue and EPS growth into the late 2020s. ^[46]
- Strong institutional support from pension funds and high‑profile investors like Peter Thiel, even as some large holders trim. ^[47]
Bearish or cautious factors
- A premium valuation (mid‑30s earnings multiple) compared with broader indices, leaving less room for error. ^[48]
- Regulatory overhangs in India and Europe that could affect App Store economics and Services margins. ^[49]
- Major long‑term holders like Berkshire Hathaway systematically reducing their exposure. ^[50]
- Some technical and macro signals pointing to potential near‑term pullbacks after a strong six‑month rally.

From a news and data perspective, Apple today looks like a high‑quality, cash‑rich giant priced for continued success, with the market weighing regulation, macro risk and stretched valuation against dominant products, massive ecosystem and solid growth.

For anyone following Apple stock into 2026, the key will be tracking how those forces evolve—especially the outcome of the India antitrust case, the durability of the iPhone 17 cycle, and whether earnings can grow fast enough to justify (or even compress) today’s premium multiple.