Apple Stock Might Not See Positive Catalysts Until Spring

Core Insights - Apple stock has been underperforming amid mixed signals regarding iPhone 17 sales, with analysts suggesting a potential recovery not expected until spring 2026 [1][2] - Demand for iPhone 17 models appears to be cooling, particularly for the Pro and Pro Max versions, while the base model is seeing relatively stable demand [5][6] Sales Performance - Order lead times for the iPhone 17 series have remained stable in the U.S., but have shortened in key international markets like China, Germany, Japan, and the U.K., especially for the Pro Max model [4] - The base model of the iPhone 17 has the best delivery lead time of 17 to 22 days among the four models, indicating a shift in consumer preference [5] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani maintains an outperform rating on Apple stock with a price target of 290, suggesting that significant improvements may depend on a major upgrade cycle or advancements in AI [2] - Jefferies analyst Edison Lee has downgraded his rating on Apple stock to underperform and reduced the price target from 205.16 to 203.07, reflecting concerns over cooling demand for the new handsets [6]