Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2025-10-21 01:11Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc. has seen its stock price rise over 4%, reaching a new all-time high of $263.59 per share, with a total market capitalization surpassing $3.9 trillion [1][3]. Stock Performance - The stock has accumulated a year-to-date increase of approximately 5.5%, rebounding over 50% since a significant drop of about 31% in April [3]. - The recent surge in stock price is attributed to better-than-expected sales of the latest iPhone, suggesting the onset of a long-awaited upgrade cycle [3]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Loop Capital upgraded its rating on Apple from "Hold" to "Buy," raising the price target from $226 to $315, indicating a potential upside of about 25% from the previous closing price [4]. - Other firms, such as Evercore ISI and Seaport Global, have also shown optimism, with Evercore ISI raising its target to $290 based on strong iPhone demand data [4]. iPhone Sales Performance - Counterpoint Research reported that iPhone 17 sales in China and the U.S. exceeded those of the iPhone 16 series by 14% within the first 10 days of launch [5]. Market Sentiment and Valuation Concerns - Despite the positive sales momentum, some analysts express caution regarding Apple's current valuation, with a price-to-earnings ratio exceeding 32, significantly higher than the 10-year average of 22 [6]. - Only 58% of analysts recommend buying Apple, the lowest among the "Big Seven" tech companies, indicating a mixed sentiment in the market [6]. Competitive Landscape - Jefferies analyst Edison Lee, one of the few with a negative outlook, warned that the sales momentum for iPhone 17 may be cooling, citing concerns over the excitement surrounding foldable iPhones potentially impacting Pro Max sales [7].