New York, Jan 10, 2026, 09:35 EST — Market closed
- Apple closed Friday just 0.1% higher at $259.37, trimming some losses, but its shares have still fallen roughly 4.6% year to date
- Evercore lifted its price target for Apple to $330 while maintaining an Outperform rating ahead of the earnings report expected in late January
- Traders are eyeing next week’s inflation data and the Fed’s late-month signals, while also keeping a close watch on Apple’s earnings setup as Monday approaches
Evercore ISI bumped up its price target for Apple (AAPL.O) to $330 from $325 on Friday, keeping its Outperform rating intact. The firm cited solid iPhone demand ahead of the company’s earnings report later this month. It also raised its December-quarter revenue and EPS forecasts to $140.5 billion and $2.71, respectively—both above consensus estimates of $137.3 billion and $2.66. The broker highlighted strength in North America, China, and India, even as Europe showed some softness.
Apple’s report is crucial, coming as investors grow jittery over growth rates in megacap tech. Even slight shifts in forecasts can trigger major index swings. As one of the market’s biggest individual stocks, its results often ripple through wider investor sentiment.
U.S. markets are closed for the weekend, leaving Monday’s outlook complicated. Rate expectations are shifting once more, while traders scramble to distinguish Apple-specific demand cues from the broader macro trends that have been steering daily tech leadership.
Apple shares closed Friday up 0.1% at $259.37 following a volatile start to 2026. So far this year, the stock has slipped roughly 4.6%, market data show.
Apple’s stock recently hit a snag following the news that JPMorgan will assume control of the Apple Card program from Goldman Sachs, a transition set to take about two years. Shares slipped earlier this week as investors digested the potential impact on Apple’s services growth and Goldman’s departure from the deal.
Apple submitted its annual proxy statement Thursday, scheduling a virtual meeting for Feb. 24 and detailing board matters alongside executive compensation disclosures. While standard procedure, the filing provides shareholders with a key date as earnings season heats up.
Behind the scenes, the megacap rankings shifted. Alphabet edged past Apple in market cap Thursday, as Apple dipped and investors shuffled among top tech giants.
Rates continue to drive day-to-day moves. U.S. stocks climbed Friday following a weaker-than-forecast December jobs report, fueling speculation about potential interest-rate cuts later this year. Traders also tracked news around the Supreme Court’s review of Trump-era tariffs.
Apple is currently trading just under its 50-day moving average at about $272.84, while holding above the 200-day mark near $246.49. Its 52-week trading range spans roughly from $169.21 up to $288.62. Traders often watch these levels closely as key “support” and “resistance” zones, where buying and selling tend to gather.
But the next move for the stock hinges on more than just technicals. Higher memory-chip prices risk squeezing hardware margins, especially if costs stay elevated. Apple’s scale and supply deals might soften the blow in the short run, but analysts warn the tightening supply chain remains a serious concern.
The next data point arrives fast: December CPI drops Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Then the Fed meets Jan. 27–28. Apple’s fiscal Q1 earnings and conference call follow on Thursday, Jan. 29 — a major focus for traders seeking clarity on iPhone sales, services growth, and margin trends.
