NEW YORK, Feb 15, 2026, 10:02 EST — Market closed.
- Apple closed out Friday at $255.78, slipping 2.3% as the stock logged its second straight day in the red.
- Apple is under pressure after the U.S. FTC sent a warning letter over Apple News, and investors are also questioning the timing of Apple’s planned AI Siri rollout.
- U.S. markets reopen Tuesday. Investors keep an eye on major data releases and Apple’s shareholder gathering on Feb. 24.
Apple Inc (AAPL) slipped 2.3% to close at $255.78 on Friday, marking a second consecutive drop. Shares now head into the Presidents Day break feeling the squeeze.
Why does this matter? Megacap tech has been calling the shots lately, and Apple’s slump isn’t helping. “Large cap tech stocks continue to be an anchor on the market,” said Michael James, managing director at Rosenblatt Securities, following Friday’s session that saw Apple and Nvidia drag on the S&P 500’s performance. Reuters
Investors head into a week packed with events, the “AI disruption” narrative ricocheting across industries. “It’s all this whack-a-mole game,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth. Markets face a holiday-shortened stretch loaded with new U.S. data—GDP numbers, the PCE price index (the Fed’s inflation bellwether)—plus Walmart earnings on deck. Reuters
Washington remains a major sticking point for Apple. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson fired off a warning letter to CEO Tim Cook, cautioning that Big Tech companies could run afoul of the FTC Act if they boost or bury news content based on “political viewpoint”—especially when those actions cross the line with terms of service or what users expect. Federal Trade Commission
Then there’s Apple’s AI push—Siri in the spotlight. Shares wiped out their gains for the year Thursday as the FTC letter landed and fresh talk surfaced about delays to certain AI-powered Siri tools. Some investors are clearly worried Apple isn’t keeping pace with major competitors in the race for AI dominance.
Analysts have stepped in to calm things down, though the delays aren’t lost on them. Evercore ISI’s Amit Daryanani kept his “Outperform” call—he still sees the stock topping the market—with a $330 price target. Even so, he pointed to a probable delay for “Apple Intelligence 2.0,” which now looks set to miss March and arrive in waves instead. Finviz
Apple’s shares took a hit—down 5.0% Thursday, sliding another 2.27% Friday. The back-to-back losses wiped out just over 7% in two days.
No trading Monday—U.S. equity markets are on pause for Presidents Day, Feb. 16, picking things back up Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Apple aside, traders are watching several macro triggers this week that usually rattle tech valuations: the Fed’s January minutes coming Wednesday, Feb. 18; Friday’s PCE inflation print on Feb. 20; plus a round of other data, from GDP to housing.
Still, it’s not a smooth ride. Should Apple drag its feet with regulators or see another Siri delay, shares might remain stuck—even if the wider market finds its footing. A spike in inflation or surging yields? That spells more trouble for richly priced tech stocks.
Apple’s annual shareholder meeting lands on Feb. 24, with investors tuning into the virtual event to catch any hints of firmer guidance on AI rollout and fresh commentary on how Apple aims to address intensifying political and regulatory pressure.
