New York, Jan 23, 2026, 4:34 PM EST — After-hours
- Apple shares slipped in after-hours trading as investors weighed China promotions against regulatory risks in India.
- This week is busy with a Fed decision on the docket and Apple set to report quarterly earnings.
Apple Inc shares slipped 0.15% to $248.04 in after-hours trading on Friday, following the 4 p.m. close. The iPhone maker’s stock fluctuated between $244.73 and $249.40 during the session.
The modest move conceals a larger setup. Markets head into next week with the Federal Reserve’s rate decision on Wednesday and a packed schedule of earnings from top tech companies, leaving little margin for error after a turbulent start to 2026. “It’s been a little bit of a short but steep roller-coaster ride,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at PNC Financial Services Group. 1
Apple will release its quarterly earnings on Thursday, Jan. 29, a key report tracking consumer demand and margins following the holiday season. 2
Apple revealed a discount of up to 1,000 yuan ($143.60) on select iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch models in China. The offer runs from Jan. 24 to Jan. 27 but does not include the iPhone 17. The promotion was posted on Apple’s website. 3
Cost pressures are creeping back into the discussion. A Reuters report this week highlighted soaring memory chip prices forcing electronics manufacturers to decide whether to absorb higher costs or hike prices and risk hurting demand. “Apple is better-positioned … as it uses contract pricing,” Morningstar analyst William Kerwin noted, but cautioned the company “isn’t immune.” 4
Apple has asked an Indian court to block the Competition Commission of India from accessing its global financial records in an investigation into its App Store policies, court documents reveal. The company warned it could face fines as high as $38 billion if penalties are based on global turnover — its worldwide revenue. Apple is also contesting India’s penalty rules set for 2024. The Delhi High Court will hear the case on Jan. 27. 5
Apple supplier Pegatron expects to finish its first U.S. factory in Texas by the end of March, with trial production slated to begin in late March or April. “The U.S. plant is our first factory established and operated in the United States,” Pegatron President and CEO Kuang-Chih Cheng told reporters. The facility will focus on producing AI server products powered by Nvidia chips. 6
Broad markets remained unsettled through the session’s end. The Dow dropped 0.58% Friday, while the S&P 500 barely budged and the Nasdaq nudged up 0.27%. Intel’s sharp decline following a weak forecast hit risk appetite, according to a Reuters report. “We’re feeling pretty good … but mindful,” said Jason Blackwell, chief investment strategist at Focus Partners Wealth. 7
Still, there are risks for Apple. Discounts in China may cast doubt on its pricing power, and rising component costs could pinching gross margins if they persist. Meanwhile, regulators from India and beyond continue to weigh on Apple’s services business and App Store policies.
Coming soon: Apple’s China promotions kick off Jan. 24–27, with a court hearing in India scheduled for Jan. 27. The Fed’s decision is due Jan. 28, followed by Apple’s earnings report on Jan. 29. Investors will focus on Apple’s comments about demand in China, input costs, and expectations for services growth in 2026.
