Analysts Bullish on Apple Ahead of Quarterly Report

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Market sentiment surrounding Apple Inc. is strengthening as the company approaches its quarterly earnings release, with prominent Wall Street firms highlighting robust iPhone demand as a key catalyst. Recent market share gains in China are adding further weight to this optimistic outlook.

Two leading investment banks have recently reinforced their positive stance on the tech giant. Evercore ISI added Apple to its "Tactical Outperform List" this week, projecting fiscal first-quarter revenue of $140.5 billion. This estimate surpasses the consensus forecast of $137.4 billion among Wall Street analysts. The firm also anticipates earnings per share of $2.71, compared to the average Street estimate of $2.67.

This confidence is largely predicated on an expected year-over-year surge in iPhone revenue of 17%. Analysts point to particularly strong consumer appetite for higher-priced models, which is elevating the product's average selling price.

In a separate move, Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its "Buy" rating for Apple's stock. The bank's strategists view the equity's 6% decline since the start of the year as a buying opportunity. Their projections include a 13% increase in iPhone revenue, driven by a combination of higher unit sales and a favorable pricing environment.

Impressive Momentum in the Chinese Market

Supporting these analyst views are concrete data points from China, a critical region for Apple's growth. Research from Counterpoint Research indicates Apple led the Chinese smartphone market in the fourth quarter, capturing a 21.8% share. The company's shipments in the region saw a substantial 28% year-over-year increase, a surge significantly fueled by the powerful performance of the iPhone 17 series.

Sustained strength in China holds dual importance for Apple. The country is not only a vital hardware sales market but also serves as the foundation for the company's expanding, higher-margin services business.

Earnings Release Scheduled

Apple is set to announce its official results for the first fiscal quarter after the market closes on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Investors will scrutinize the report to confirm whether the highlighted iPhone demand has materialized in the financial figures and to gauge management's commentary on the outlook for the coming months.