New York, January 13, 2026, 11:12 AM (ET) — Market open
AppLovin shares rose roughly 0.5% Tuesday, recovering after a volatile start as investors digested new price targets from brokers on the ad-tech firm.
Timing is crucial. Since the start of the year, AppLovin has behaved like a momentum play, and even slight shifts in sell-side sentiment can sway the stock when positioning is tight and expectations run high.
At 11:12 a.m. ET, the stock changed hands at $662.24, having fluctuated from a low of $643.00 to a high of $666.57. The wider market edged lower, with the S&P 500 ETF slipping around 0.2% and the Nasdaq 100 ETF also down about 0.2%.
Morgan Stanley bumped up its price target on AppLovin to $800 from $750, maintaining an “overweight” rating. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs shaved its target slightly to $710 from $720 but stuck with a “neutral” stance, according to MT Newswires reports carried by MarketScreener. (A price target estimates where a stock might trade; “overweight” suggests expectations to beat peers.) MarketScreener data shows 27 analysts cover AppLovin, with an average target near $742 and a consensus “buy.” (MarketScreener)
The stock closed Monday at $658.65, marking a 1.69% gain for the day, according to historical pricing data. (Investing)
AppLovin provides software that enables advertisers to purchase and track ads while helping app publishers monetize their users. The company is pivoting more toward advertising technology after agreeing to sell its mobile games studio portfolio to Tripledot Studios for roughly $800 million in cash and stock. This deal puts more focus on its marketing platform. (Reuters)
Still, the stock isn’t without headline risk. AppLovin has been under the microscope for its data-collection methods. Back in October, Reuters reported the U.S. SEC was investigating the company’s practices, citing sources familiar with the matter. It’s unclear how far along that review is. Any regulatory action, a shift in platform rules, or renewed interest from short sellers could quickly sour sentiment in a stock priced for growth. (Reuters)
AppLovin is set to drop its quarterly numbers next. The company plans to unveil its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 11, after U.S. markets shut. A management webcast will follow at 5:00 p.m. ET. (Applovin)
