What Analysts Think of Apple Stock Ahead of Wednesday's Product Launch

Core Insights - Apple CEO Tim Cook has hinted at an upcoming product launch, with speculation surrounding a new lower-cost iPhone model, potentially the iPhone SE4 [1][5] - Analysts predict the iPhone SE4 could be priced starting at $499 and feature Apple Intelligence, which is believed to be driving significant iPhone upgrades [2] - Morgan Stanley maintains an "overweight" rating on Apple with a price target of $275, while the consensus price target among analysts is approximately $253, reflecting a 4% premium over recent closing prices [3] Partnership and AI Features - Apple is reportedly partnering with Alibaba to integrate artificial intelligence features into iPhones in China, with AI features submitted for regulatory approval [4][5] - The collaboration with Alibaba is expected to enhance the iPhone's capabilities in the Chinese market, aligning with Apple's strategy to leverage AI technology [4] Stock Performance - Apple's shares increased by 1.3% to close at $244.60, marking a significant gain of about one-third in value over the past year [5]