Apple(US:AAPL) Investorsยท2025-10-20 20:33Core Viewpoint - Apple stock is experiencing a significant upward trend driven by positive analyst upgrades and strong sales performance of the iPhone 17 series, indicating a robust demand environment and a potential long-term upgrade cycle [1][5][6]. Analyst Upgrades - Loop Capital analyst Ananda Baruah upgraded Apple stock to buy from hold, raising the price target to 315 from 226 [1]. - Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani added Apple to the "tactical outperform list" with a price target of 290 [1]. - Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes maintained a buy rating and increased the price target to 290 from 260, citing benefits from price hikes on new iPhone models [2]. Stock Performance - Apple stock surged 3.9% to close at 262.24, reaching an all-time high of 264.38 during intraday trading [2]. - The stock broke out of a 42-week consolidation pattern with a buy point of 260.10, with a 5% buy zone extending to 273.10 [3]. iPhone 17 Series Performance - The iPhone 17 series is reportedly selling "far better than anticipated," with early sales outperforming the iPhone 16 series by 14% in the first 10 days [4][6]. - Lead times for the base iPhone 17 are above last year's levels, indicating strong demand [6]. Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that Apple is at the "front end" of a long-anticipated iPhone upgrade cycle, expected to last through 2027, including a foldable iPhone next year and a 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027 [3]. - Evercore's Daryanani anticipates upside in Apple's September-quarter results and guidance on October 30 [5]. Cautionary Perspectives - Despite the positive outlook from several analysts, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee reiterated an underperform rating, noting that lead times for iPhone 17 orders appear to be "cooling off" [7].