New York, Jan 11, 2026, 19:13 (EST) — Market closed.
- Apple closed Friday roughly 0.1% higher, breaking a stretch of losses over several days
- Evercore ISI not only maintained its outperform rating but also boosted its price target
- Investors are eyeing Apple’s Jan. 29 earnings for signs on iPhone sales and any hints of “Apple Intelligence.”
Apple shares ended Friday near $259.37, ticking up about 0.1% from the previous close. That slight gain follows a rough start to the year, with the stock recovering from a rare losing streak. 1
Why this matters now: Apple approaches its late-January earnings report amid a tug-of-war. Some investors back the “services-and-buybacks” story, while others demand clear signs that iPhone sales remain strong. This pressure builds as memory prices climb and competitors ramp up AI capabilities. 2
The stock’s drop on Friday caught attention on Wall Street as it overlapped with renewed debate around Apple’s AI strategy and iPhone sales momentum in China—two key factors shaping March quarter forecasts. 2
Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani maintained Apple as a “top pick” and raised his price target to $330, citing strong demand for premium iPhones. He also believes Apple is somewhat protected from component inflation thanks to its contracts and scale. 3
Not everyone is on board. In a separate note on Apple suppliers, Mizuho downgraded Qualcomm, flagging Apple’s move to internalize more components—modems included—and a weaker handset market as potential drags on upgrade cycles in late 2026. 4
Memory is a key short-term wildcard. A popular report this month revealed Apple is working closely with top South Korean suppliers amid rising RAM prices. This cost pressure could squeeze bill-of-materials expenses, even for OEMs in the strongest positions. 5
Apple investors are gearing up for the company’s quarterly report on Jan. 29. Attention will likely zero in on iPhone sales trends, the growth of its services segment, and any fresh updates on the rollout and capabilities of “Apple Intelligence” features. 3
But risks remain: Should iPhone demand weaken beyond bullish forecasts, or if Apple’s AI push appears tepid compared to rivals, the stock may find it tough to justify its premium valuation. That’s particularly true given ongoing hardware cost pressures and regulatory concerns looming in the background. 2
Looking ahead to the week, traders are bracing for more analyst revisions and supplier updates. Still, the spotlight remains fixed on Apple’s Jan. 29 earnings report and conference call, which will likely dictate AAPL’s next move. 3
