Apple Stock Outlook Heats Up as New iPhones Loom

Apple ( (AAPL) ) has been popular among investors this week. Here is a recap of the key news on this stock.

Apple is back in the spotlight as Wall Street lifts expectations on the stock while the company prepares a major expansion of its iPhone lineup and adapts to new regulatory pressure abroad. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Apple shares to $315 and reiterated a Buy rating, citing the company as a prime “product‑cycle beneficiary” through 2026 despite higher memory costs. Jefferies’ Edison Lee also boosted his target to about $283 and, in separate research, now expects Apple’s December 1QFY26 results to beat forecasts on the back of strong demand for the iPhone 17 in China, where November growth is estimated above 40% year over year. Lee projects mid‑teens EPS growth in FY26, supported by higher average selling prices and continued strength in premium models, even as unit growth moderates in later years.

Strategically, Apple is betting heavily on the iPhone franchise. The company plans to expand its range from five to at least seven models by 2027, including its first foldable iPhone in 2026 and a special 20th‑anniversary model in 2027 featuring a new curved, bezel‑free design. Analysts expect these high‑end devices, along with potential $100 price hikes for Pro models, to offset rising component and memory costs and support margins. At the same time, Apple is opening iPhones in Japan to third‑party app stores under the country’s new Mobile Software Competition Act, a sign of mounting regulatory pressure on its App Store economics. Despite these challenges, Wall Street’s consensus on Apple remains a Moderate Buy, with average 12‑month price targets around $299–$300 implying roughly 9–10% upside from current levels, and the stock already up year‑to‑date as investors position for the next iPhone cycle and new form factors.