Apple’s shares briefly touched a new all-time high of $288 earlier this month before pulling back to about $276 — yet the stock’s 38% climb since June 2025 has many investors optimistic about 2026. Analysts are increasingly targeting a $300 milestone as the next realistic breakout, but timing remains uncertain.
Near-term headwinds pushed the stock lower on Tuesday alongside a broader market decline. Reuters reports two developments weighing on investor sentiment: a coalition of 20 app developers and consumer groups has asked EU regulators to more strictly enforce rules against Apple’s fee structures, arguing Europe’s developers are disadvantaged compared with U.S. peers after a recent U.S. court ruling. Separately, the smartphone supply-chain outlook for 2026 is looking softer: Counterpoint Research expects global handset shipments to fall about 2.1% next year, citing rising chip costs and disruptions in memory-chip supply.
Apple’s market dominance is clear, but the company’s heavy reliance on China for manufacturing and India for assembly leaves it exposed to trade friction and geopolitical risk. Any disruption to production or logistics in those countries could have a direct impact on Apple’s performance and, by extension, investor returns.
Forecasts vary: CoinCodex projects Apple could reach as high as $305 by March 31, 2026, with an interim average near $285 around March 3 before a potential uptick. Their model forecasts a slight dip of 0.26% to $285.46 by March 3, 2026, and notes technical indicators remain bullish even as the Fear & Greed Index sits at 39 (fear). Over the last 30 days (as of Dec. 3, 2025, 01:26 PM GMT+5), AAPL logged 16 green days out of 30 and roughly 2.08% price volatility.
Bottom line: Apple’s post-surge pullback doesn’t erase a strong 2025 run, but regulatory pressure in Europe, a softer smartphone market, and geopolitical supply-chain risks are reminders that the road to a new $300-plus high may be bumpy.
Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
