Key Stats for Apple Stock
- Price Change $AAPL stock: 4%
- Current Share Price: $262
- 52-Week High: $264
- $AAPL Stock Price Target: $250
What Happened?
Apple (AAPL) stock surged nearly 4% on Monday to close at a record after new data revealed the iPhone 17 lineup is crushing early sales expectations in Apple’s two most important markets.
The momentum triggered an analyst upgrade and renewed confidence that Apple’s latest product cycle could drive results well into 2027.
Counterpoint Research reported that iPhone 17 models outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14% during the first 10 days of availability in the United States and China. T
These two countries account for the bulk of global iPhone sales, making the strong start particularly meaningful for Apple’s near-term revenue outlook.
The base iPhone 17 is the standout performer, especially in China, where it nearly doubled unit sales compared to last year’s iPhone 16.
The phone delivers a better chip, improved display, doubled base storage to 256GB, and an upgraded selfie camera at the same $799 price point.
When combined with local discounts and promotional coupons, Chinese consumers view the device as exceptional value.
“The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” Counterpoint senior analyst Mengmeng Zhang stated. “Buying this device is a no brainer, especially when you throw channel discounts and coupons into the mix.”
In the United States, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is driving demand. Major carriers boosted maximum subsidies by roughly $100, a 10% increase over last year.
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are pushing the ultra-premium model hard through 24-month and 36-month financing contracts that lock customers into higher monthly service plans while making the $1,099+ device feel more accessible.
The new iPhone Air, Apple’s first eSIM-only model at $999, is performing modestly but better than the iPhone 16 Plus it effectively replaces.
Initial concerns about Chinese availability were resolved when Apple announced pre-orders would begin on October 17th in that market. However, the Air’s shorter pre-order window and higher price relative to the feature-packed base model suggest it will remain a niche option initially.
Loop Capital upgraded AAPL stock from hold to buy on Monday, raising its price target to $315 from $226. Analyst Ananda Baruah wrote that while Wall Street is pricing in some iPhone 17 outperformance, “we believe there remains material upside to Street expectations through CY2027.”
The upgrade to AAPL stock follows last week’s reports from China, where CEO Tim Cook appeared at the iPhone Air launch event.
According to the South China Morning Post, the device sold out within minutes of going on sale in select markets.
Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani noted this apparent popularity could boost results when Apple reports earnings next week.
See analysts’ growth forecasts and price targets for Apple stock (It’s free!) >>>
What the Market Is Telling Us About Apple Stock
Monday’s rally to record highs reflects growing conviction that Apple has successfully balanced value and premium positioning across its iPhone 17 lineup.
The 14% sales increase versus iPhone 16 validates that doubling base storage while holding prices steady resonates with consumers who felt previous models were overpriced.
In China, Apple faces intense competition from resurgent Huawei, which is gaining nationalist support with domestically made Kirin chips, plus pressure from Xiaomi and Oppo, which offer feature-rich devices at lower prices.
The iPhone 17’s strong early performance suggests Apple found the right value equation to compete in a market that increasingly criticizes foreign brands for premium pricing.
Carrier subsidies in the United States are shifting consumer behavior toward ultra-premium models. The $100 increase in maximum trade-in offers makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max more attainable while locking buyers into multi-year contracts.
This benefits carriers through guaranteed service revenue and Apple through deeper ecosystem lock-in via hardware, software, and subscription services.
The iPhone Air’s eSIM-only design represents Apple’s long-term direction, even if near-term sales are modest.
Eliminating the physical SIM tray freed internal space for larger batteries in the impossibly thin 5.6mm design.
As eSIM adoption spreads globally, Apple gains manufacturing flexibility and cost advantages that competitors using physical SIMs cannot match.
Alternatively, the smartphone market has matured, with most consumers owning capable devices. Convincing users that yearly upgrades deliver meaningful value gets harder as innovation becomes more incremental.
The iPhone 17’s strong start proves Apple can still execute product cycles effectively, but whether that translates to sustained growth depends on the depth of the upgrade pool beyond early adopters.
Wall Street Analysts Are Bullish on These 5 Undervalued Compounders With Market-Beating Potential
TIKR just released a new free report on 5 compounders that appear undervalued, have beaten the market in the past, and could continue to outperform on a 1-5 year timeline based on analysts’ estimates.
Inside, you’ll get a breakdown of 5 high-quality businesses with:
- Strong revenue growth and durable competitive advantages
- Attractive valuations based on forward earnings and expected earnings growth
- Long-term upside potential backed by analyst forecasts and TIKR’s valuation models
These are the kinds of stocks that can deliver massive long-term returns, especially if you catch them while they’re still trading at a discount.
Whether you’re a long-term investor or just looking for great businesses trading below fair value, this report will help you zero in on high-upside opportunities.
Click here to sign up for TIKR and get our full report on 5 undervalued compounders completely free.
Looking for New Opportunities?
- See what stocks billionaire investors are buying so you can follow the smart money.
- Analyze stocks in as little as 5 minutes with TIKR’s all-in-one, easy-to-use platform.
- The more rocks you overturn… the more opportunities you’ll uncover. Search 100K+ global stocks, global top investor holdings, and more with TIKR.
Disclaimer:
Please note that the articles on TIKR are not intended to serve as investment or financial advice from TIKR or our content team, nor are they recommendations to buy or sell any stocks. We create our content based on TIKR Terminal’s investment data and analysts’ estimates. Our analysis might not include recent company news or important updates. TIKR has no position in any stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading, and happy investing!