Apple Stock Slides on AI Jitters but Analysts Stay Bullish

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

Apple shares have come under heavy pressure, tumbling about 5% in their worst single session since April 2025 and erasing year‑to‑date gains, after reports that the company may delay its long‑awaited AI upgrade to Siri into May or later. The pullback has stirred fears that Apple could be losing ground in the AI race, even as management still targets a 2026 rollout and the stock trades near its 52‑week high around $260.

Sentiment was further shaken by regulatory scrutiny, as FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson publicly urged CEO Tim Cook to probe alleged political bias in the Apple News feed, accusing the platform of favoring left‑leaning outlets over conservative ones. While the FTC concedes it cannot force any change in content curation, the controversy adds another layer of uncertainty just as investors question whether big AI spending will translate into near‑term growth.

Despite the volatility, Wall Street remains broadly constructive on Apple’s prospects, with 27 analysts assigning a consensus Moderate Buy rating and an average price target near $307, implying roughly 17%–18% upside. Top‑ranked analysts such as Bernstein’s Mark Newman and Wedbush’s Daniel Ives are even more bullish, seeing targets up to $340–$350 as they bet that a major AI push, deeper partnerships like the Google Gemini tie‑up, and stronger iPhone demand — potentially including a future foldable model — can drive a new leg of growth.

Ives in particular argues that 2026 could be a “monumental year” for Apple as Tim Cook is expected to stay through at least 2027 to oversee the company’s AI roadmap, suggesting the current sell‑off may be more of a reset than a structural break. For investors, the key question is whether the present mix of product delays, regulatory noise, and sector‑wide AI skepticism offers a buying opportunity in Apple stock ahead of what bulls see as the next major upgrade cycle.