New York, January 21, 2026, 16:01 EST — Trading after hours.
- Apple shares ended near 0.5% higher, bouncing between roughly $245 and $252 before settling.
- Reuters says Apple aims to launch Siri as its first AI chatbot before the year ends.
- All eyes are on Apple’s January 29 earnings to gauge iPhone demand, profit margins, and how the company is pushing its AI rollout.
Apple Inc shares climbed about 0.5% to $248.02 on Wednesday, putting the company’s market value near $3.0 trillion. According to a Reuters report, the iPhone giant aims to overhaul Siri later this year, turning it into its first AI chatbot. This move comes as Apple looks to make up ground after its initial “Apple Intelligence” launch failed to generate much excitement. 1
Timing is crucial. Apple and other megacap tech names have been jolted by tariff news and shifts in risk appetite. U.S. stocks rebounded Wednesday after President Donald Trump backed off on tariffs linked to Greenland talks, reversing a threat that sparked a steep selloff just a day before. 2
Apple’s next major event: earnings. The company will hold its fiscal first-quarter earnings call Thursday, January 29. Investors want clarity on holiday-quarter iPhone sales, Services revenue growth, and Apple’s cost outlook. 3
Evercore ISI boosted Apple onto its Tactical Outperform list, signaling confidence that strong iPhone demand will drive the next earnings beat. Citi’s Atif Malik also highlighted potential upside from the iPhone 17 launch but cautioned that rising memory component costs might squeeze gross margins. He noted Apple’s “strong negotiating power” but added the company is “not totally immune” to steep memory price hikes. 4
Apple’s Siri updates come with a clear competitive angle. According to Reuters, the chatbot—known internally as “Campos”—is set to be integrated more extensively throughout iPhone, iPad, and Mac software. This move builds on a recent agreement with Google to fuel Siri using Gemini models. 1
But the flip side is clear. Should component costs rise more quickly than Apple can compensate through pricing or product shifts, margins will take a hit despite steady unit sales. Plus, any hold-up in launching new Siri features could turn the AI story into yet another waiting game.
Markets, however, aren’t treating the Greenland situation as fully resolved—more like on hold. Art Hogan, strategist at B. Riley Wealth Management, noted that the immediate tariff pressure “have been removed,” but stressed investors now want “better earnings” and “not have to rely on random Truth Social posts for good news.” 5
Apple’s next major date is January 29. Traders are keen for guidance—and any clear timeline on Siri’s chatbot transition, along with its impact on devices, Services, and costs in 2026.
