Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Goldman Sticks With Apple (AAPL) Buy Rating Despite Early-2026 Weakness

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the Buzzing AI Stocks Analysts are Watching. On January 20, Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Ng reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $320.00 price target. The firm views APPL’s recent YTD drop as a buying opportunity, citing multi-year iPhone strength and Services mix.

The investment bank noted how Apple’s shares are down 5% YTD at the start of calendar 2026, likely due to commodity cost inflation and App Store concerns.  However, the recent weakness presents a buying opportunity as the iPhone refresh cycle continues.

Revenue for the iPhone is projected to grow 9% in both fiscal 2026 and 2027. Moreover, for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the firm forecasts earnings per share of $2.66, in line with FactSet consensus. First-quarter iPhone revenue is likely to increase 13% year-over-year, fueled by 5% unit growth (including 26% growth in China) and 8% stronger price and mix.

Goldman Sachs noted how future iPhone demand is going to be positively impacted by a foldable iPhone in late 2026, a shift to a biannual iPhone launch cycle, and new software upgrades.

iPhone demand in the next 2 years is likely to benefit from the iPhone Fold (Fall 2026, 4.5/25.4 mn units in F2026/F2027), the shift to a biannual iPhone launch cycle with the iPhone 18 base and iPhone Air 2 delayed from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027, and new software upgrades with iOS and Siri 2.0.

Even though App Store spending growth decelerated again to 7% year-over-year in the first quarter, the firm forecast overall Services revenue to grow 14% driven by momentum in other categories including traffic acquisition costs, iCloud+, and AppleCare+. Further tailwinds in F2026 are expected from new ad formats in the App Store.

Goldman Sachs further noted how product price/mix growth and continued mix shift toward Services are likely to support gross margins, which will help offset potential headwinds from memory cost inflation.

Apple’s recent partnership with Google Gemini and continued iPhone demand growth are also seen to reinforce AAPL’s position as a consumer device of choice.

Apple’s partnership with Google Gemini for Siri and continued iPhone demand growth against the backdrop of AI-native consumer hardware launches should demonstrate to the market that the iPhone will remain the consumer device of choice for accessing new AI tools, clearing overhangs related to competition.

Apple is a technology company known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of AAPL  as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AAPL and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 AI Stocks Making Waves on Wall Street and 10 AI Stocks on Market Radar

Disclosure: None.

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard.

Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences.

At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000.

Do the math. According to Musk, this technology could be worth $250 trillion by 2040.

Put another way, that’s roughly equal to:

  • 175 Teslas
  • 107 Amazons
  • 140 Metas
  • 84 Googles
  • 65 Microsofts
  • And 55 Nvidias

And here’s the wild part — this $250 trillion wave isn’t tied to one company, but to an entire ecosystem of AI innovators set to reshape the global economy.

It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.

Even if that $250 trillion figure sounds ambitious, major firms like PwC and McKinsey still see AI unlocking multi-trillion-dollar potential.

How could anything be worth that much?

The answer lies in a breakthrough so powerful it’s redefining how humanity works, learns, and creates.

And this breakthrough has already set off a frenzy among hedge funds and Wall Street’s top investors.

What most investors don’t realize is that one under-owned company holds the key to this $250 trillion revolution.

In fact, Verge argues this company’s supercheap AI technology should concern rivals.

Before I reveal the details, let’s talk about how some of the richest people on the planet are positioning themselves.

  • Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as the “biggest technological advance in my lifetime,” more transformative than the internet or personal computer, capable of improving healthcare, education, and addressing climate change.
  • Larry Ellison — through Oracle, is spending billions on Nvidia chips and partnering with Cohere to embed generative AI across Oracle’s cloud and apps.
  • Warren Buffett — not known for tech hype — says this breakthrough could have a ‘hugely beneficial social impact.

When billionaires from Silicon Valley to Wall Street line up behind the same idea — you know it’s worth paying attention to.

Even as we admire what Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft have built, we believe an even greater opportunity lies elsewhere…

But the real story isn’t Nvidia — it’s a much smaller company quietly improving the critical technology that makes this entire revolution possible.

And judging by what I’m hearing from both Silicon Valley insiders and Wall Street veterans…

This prediction might not be bold at all:

A few years from now, you’ll wish you’d owned this stock.

The best part? You can discover everything about this company and its groundbreaking technology right now.

I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this groundbreaking company in a detailed, members-only report.

Trust me — you’ll want to read this report before putting another dollar into any tech stock.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 a month, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

If you’re thinking about getting in, don’t wait – because once Wall Street catches wind of this story, the easy money will be gone.

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99 a month.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!