Apple stock edges toward record high as analysts lift targets on strong iPhone 18 demand
Published on 09/15/2026 at 15:01 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Apple Inc. (ISIN US0378331005) stock is trading near its all-time high around USD 334 on Nasdaq as of September 14, 2026, after the company reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenue of USD 109.4 billion, up 16.4 percent year over year, and earnings per share of USD 2.02, an increase of 29 percent from USD 1.57 a year earlier according to Barchart on September 14, 2026.
Fresh iPhone 18 cycle supports Apple stock
Morgan Stanley has become more constructive on Apple stock, with analyst Erik Woodring reiterating an Overweight rating and a USD 360 price target, citing the company’s latest product event and improved hardware and software innovation as drivers of above-trend growth into fiscal year 2027, according to Barchart on September 14, 2026.
Evercore ISI also reiterated an Outperform rating and a USD 365 price target on Apple on September 14, 2026, pointing to strong early demand for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models following the start of pre-orders, as reported by Investing.com on September 14, 2026.
Quarterly figures show double-digit growth
Apple’s fiscal third-quarter 2026, which ended June 27, 2026, delivered another earnings beat versus Wall Street expectations, with revenue climbing 16.4 percent year over year to USD 109.4 billion and net income rising 27.1 percent to USD 29.8 billion, while gross margin expanded to 50.1 percent, supported in part by U.S. tariff refunds, according to Barchart on September 14, 2026.
Additional detail on the same quarter shows revenue of USD 109.42 billion, with iPhone sales at USD 54.25 billion and Services revenue reaching a record USD 30.74 billion, while earnings per share of USD 2.02 marked the ninth straight quarterly EPS beat, as highlighted by Yahoo Finance on September 14, 2026.
Looking ahead, Apple forecasted September-quarter revenue growth of 9 to 11 percent, which is below some Wall Street expectations, and projected mid-teens iPhone revenue growth compared with analysts’ estimate of 17.6 percent, a cautious tone that investors are weighing against the strong current momentum, according to Barchart on September 14, 2026.
Analyst targets cluster above current price
Beyond Morgan Stanley and Evercore ISI, BofA Securities maintained a Buy rating on Apple while trimming its price target to USD 370 from USD 380 on September 10, 2026, citing margin pressures from higher memory and component costs even as it remains optimistic about the new iPhone lineup, according to Investing.com on September 14, 2026.
UBS kept a Neutral rating and a USD 296 price target, showing some caution despite Apple’s introduction of its first foldable iPhone and a refreshed product lineup, while Melius Research reiterated a Buy rating with a USD 370 price target, underlining confidence in the revenue potential of the iPhone Duo, as noted by Investing.com on September 14, 2026.
Across the broader analyst community, Apple holds a consensus Moderate Buy rating, with one source citing that out of 41 analysts, 21 recommend a Strong Buy, three assign a Moderate Buy, 13 rate the stock as Hold, two advise a Moderate Sell, and two a Strong Sell, and the average price target stands at USD 329.81 while the Street-high target reaches USD 400, pointing to potential upside of about 20.4 percent from current levels according to Barchart on September 14, 2026.
Valuation and technical picture near all-time highs
On valuation metrics, one analysis shows Apple trading at USD 334.62, about 17.2 percent above an estimated intrinsic GF Value of USD 285.41, implying modest overvaluation relative to that fair value model while still earning a high GF Score of 95 out of 100 driven by strong profitability, growth, and momentum, as outlined by GuruFocus on September 14, 2026.
Technical indicators show Apple trading just under its all-time high around USD 335.35, forming what one chart analysis describes as a potential double-top risk zone at that level, a so-called high-altitude turbulence area where bulls are being tested, according to Investing.com on September 14, 2026.
Another market commentary notes that Apple rose 3.8 percent to USD 332.37 in a strong weekly upside reversal, clearing an early buy point at USD 330.81 with a further technical buy point around USD 343.87 from a flat base or cup pattern, highlighting how the recent rally has shifted the stock’s technical profile, as reported by HDFC Sky on September 14, 2026.
Investor takeaway and current price level
For investors, the combination of double-digit revenue and earnings growth in fiscal Q3 2026, a gross margin of 50.1 percent, and a cluster of analyst price targets between USD 296 and USD 400 creates a backdrop in which Apple stock’s current level near USD 334 on Nasdaq as of September 14, 2026 sits close to the average and slightly below the most bullish targets, with the technical picture showing the shares testing resistance just under their all-time high.
Apple stock at a glance
- Company: Apple Inc.
- ISIN: US0378331005
- Ticker: AAPL
- Trading venue: Nasdaq
- Price (as of September 14, 2026): 334.00 USD
- Market capitalization: 3,000,000,000,000 USD (as of September 14, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Information Technology / Consumer Electronics
- Index membership: S&P 500
