New York, Jan 24, 2026, 09:37 EST — Market closed
- Apple shares ended Friday’s session down 0.12%, closing at $248.04
- Apple is offering discounts in China from Jan. 24 to 27, though the newest iPhone 17 is not included.
- Investors are focused on Apple’s results set for Jan. 29, a Fed decision coming Jan. 28, and an India court hearing scheduled for Jan. 27
Apple (AAPL.O) shares edged down 0.12%, finishing at $248.04 on Friday. The stock fluctuated between $244.68 and $249.41 during the session. Investors seemed focused on what’s next, not the day’s swings. 1
The coming days will be busy. Roughly 20% of the S&P 500 will report earnings. Apple’s first fiscal-quarter conference call is set for Thursday, Jan. 29, according to the company. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep rates unchanged on Wednesday, following what PNC’s Yung-Yu Ma described as a “short but steep roller-coaster ride” for markets. 2
Apple remains a key player in the “Magnificent Seven,” the top U.S. tech giants that can sway the indexes even without major news. Near-term, the focus is on the usual suspects: iPhone sales, performance in China, and if margins can stay steady amid tougher pricing.
Apple announced discounts up to 1,000 yuan ($143.60) on select iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch models in China, running from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27. The latest iPhone 17 is excluded from the offer. Details were posted on Apple’s website. 3
India remains a hot spot. Apple has gone to an Indian court to block the Competition Commission of India from accessing its global financial records amid an app store probe, according to court documents. The tech giant warns penalties could soar to $38 billion if regulators base fines on worldwide revenue. The Delhi High Court is set to hear the case on Jan. 27. 4
Supply chain shifts continue. Pegatron, a key Apple supplier, aims to finish its first U.S. factory in Texas by the end of March, with trial production set for late March or April. CEO Kuang-Chih Cheng told reporters this will be their first factory fully built and run in the U.S. The plant will focus on AI server products, including those powered by Nvidia chips. 5
Friday’s market was mixed: the Nasdaq crept up 0.28%, but the Dow dropped 0.58%, dragged down by chipmaker Intel after it issued a weak forecast. Janus Henderson portfolio manager Julian McManus described the scene as a “show-me” phase—investors now want to see actual revenue growth to back up the surge in AI-related stocks. 6
Apple’s shares hover near $248 each, valuing the company at about $3.0 trillion. In this range, even minor shifts can influence index flows. With a price-to-earnings ratio around 30, guidance often takes center stage over the actual earnings report.
The near-term picture isn’t without risks. Discounts might boost sales but could squeeze margins if Apple leans too heavily on price cuts. Intel has warned of rising memory costs, with UBS estimating this could shave as much as 100 basis points—one full percentage point—off Apple’s gross margin, Barron’s reported.
