Apple shares rose 0.1% to $259.37 in early trade on Monday after Counterpoint Research data showed the iPhone maker led global smartphone shipments in 2025, even as U.S. stocks opened lower. Apple held a 20% share, ahead of Samsung’s 19% and Xiaomi’s 13%, with Counterpoint analyst Varun Mishra pointing to “solid demand in emerging and mid-sized markets” and strong iPhone 17 sales. Counterpoint research director Tarun Pathak said the smartphone market could soften in 2026 as chip shortages and higher component costs bite, with chipmakers prioritising AI data centres over handsets.