New York, Feb 5, 2026, 09:33 EST — Regular session
- Apple shares barely moved early Thursday, following a 2.6% gain in the previous session
- Concerns over AI capital spending and chip forecasts have weighed on broader tech sentiment
- Apple’s next key dates: Feb. 9 dividend record date and Feb. 24 annual meeting
Apple (AAPL) shares dipped 0.02% to $276.45 in early Thursday trading, following a 2.6% gain on Wednesday. Morning session swings saw the stock move between $275.89 and $279.40, according to Investing.com data. (Investing)
For many investors, the absence of drama is exactly what they want. Apple is holding steady as a reliable megacap tech player, even as the market scrutinizes what Big Tech’s next spending surge will really deliver.
This matters since Apple ranks among the largest components in key U.S. indexes. When the iPhone maker stays steady, it can soften the blow from selloffs hitting chips or software stocks.
The broader market wobbled after Alphabet’s spending outlook and Qualcomm’s cautious forecast unsettled investors ahead of a busy earnings week. Russell Shor, senior market analyst at Tradu, noted, “The result is a move away from blind optimism toward profitability, funding discipline and more balanced positioning.” (Reuters)
Apple’s backing follows its Jan. 29 earnings release, revealing quarterly revenue of $143.8 billion and diluted EPS of $2.84. CEO Tim Cook hailed the iPhone’s “best-ever quarter.” The company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share, set for payment on Feb. 12 to shareholders recorded by Feb. 9. (Apple)
For most investors, the dividend isn’t a standalone trade, but timing still counts. The record date on Feb. 9 is coming up next week, which makes some holders hesitant to sell during a dip.
Apple is still among a select group of U.S. companies valued at $1 trillion or more, a club that heavily influences index gains. This week, Reuters pegged Apple’s worth at about $3.9 trillion, alongside tech giants like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft. (Reuters)
Apple faces another near-term event on its calendar. The company’s annual meeting is set for Feb. 24 and will be held virtually. The record date for shareholders is Jan. 2, per the latest investor updates. (Apple)
But the stock isn’t a sure bet. Apple remains tied to consumer hardware cycles and supply chain issues, with executives recently pointing to chip shortages. “Inflation-fatigued consumers and a chip shortage will pressure hardware margins, making services momentum vital,” said Jacob Bourne, an analyst at eMarketer. (Reuters)
Expectations pose another risk. Following the post-earnings rally, Apple now has less cushion to weather a dip in iPhone sales, a slowdown in Services growth, or new regulatory challenges in important markets.
Traders will zero in on megacap earnings after Thursday’s close, with Amazon in the spotlight, looking for clues on consumer demand and cloud spending. Apple’s key upcoming dates: Feb. 9 marks the dividend record date, followed by the shareholder meeting on Feb. 24.
