Apple’s stock price closed at $222.64 per share on Jan. 21, 2024, down from its 52-week high of $260.10. Analysts have set the one-year target for Apple stock (AAPL) at $246.14, according to Yahoo Finance. It’s worth mentioning that Apple’s stock price went up 34.5% in 2024, but then dropped 4% on Jan. 16 alone due to news of poor sales in China.
Dan Ives, an analyst from Wedbush Securities, has one of the highest predictions for Apple’s stock price with a target of $325, which he raised from $300 at the end of 2024. In a December interview with CNBC, Ives said he believes there will be an AI-driven upgrade cycle and growth through a new multi-billing revenue stream from apps built with AI.
Ives believes Apple will have a golden era and that it’s just the beginning. He sees Apple’s market cap rising to $5 trillion over the next 12 to 18 months. Ives is bullish on Apple Intelligence and the consumer AI revolution. If Ives is correct in his assessment of Apple and AI, then the stock price should see significant growth in 2025.
However, it’s worth pointing out that not all analysts are as bullish about Apple stock as Ives is.
Jason DeLorenzo, the creator of Volland, an option position data service, said institutions believe Apple has an upper bound of $280 by June and $300 by January 2026.
He added, “While these upper bounds can be reached this year, the stock doesn’t currently have any support from institutional puts. Therefore, if AAPL avoids any negative catalysts, such as missing earnings, those upside levels should be met.”
DeLorenzo predicted that the stock will not exceed $270 in 2025 and will likely close the year around $245 per share.
“Now that AI is gaining momentum, I think Apple will keep finding new ways to stay ahead,” said Taylor Kovar, CFP, founder of 11 Financial. “They’ve already set the bar — first with fingerprint recognition, then Face ID.”
Kovar is eager to see how the innovation in AI will impact Apple’s revenue in 2025, but only time will tell.
“Apple’s ongoing innovation, especially in areas like augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) and their growing push into services, will be a key driver,” said Luna Kandy, a financial expert and the CEO of Luna Candy Co. “The introduction of new products, especially the rumored mixed-reality headset and continued evolution of wearables, could provide a boost. Apple’s services business — App Store, iCloud, Apple Music — has proven to be a steady revenue stream, which will help balance out any dips in hardware sales.”
The combination of innovation in AI and steady services should drive the stock price up in 2025.
Kovar noted that Apple’s stock has done pretty well over the past few years, with growth coming from new iPhone models, AirPods, the Apple Watch and their expanding services business. Kovar didn’t offer a specific price target, because the overall economy will also play a pivotal role in the stock price.
“Global economic conditions, like inflation rates and consumer spending trends, could impact demand for Apple’s premium products,” Kandy added. “Additionally, regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe and the U.S., could affect their business operations, especially around the App Store and privacy issues.”
“I believe Apple’s stock in 2025 will likely experience moderate growth but with more volatility compared to past years,” said Kandy. “Investors should stay vigilant, paying attention to how Apple handles these evolving challenges and how their innovative efforts pan out.”
She believes that Apple’s stock price in 2025 will likely range between $250 and $260, but noted that the prediction is subject to change depending on market conditions, global economic factors and how Apple executes its strategies in the coming year.
Robert R. Johnson, Ph.D., CFA, CAIA, professor of finance at Heider College of Business, Creighton University, said Apple’s value appears less stretched than the other “Magnificent Seven” firms (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Tesla). While he didn’t want to put a specific number on short-term stock market moves, he added the following insights.
“Some investors interpret the fact that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway recently sold a large percentage of its Apple stake as a negative. But Apple is still — by far — the largest holding in Berkshire Hathaway’s marketable securities portfolio. It represents 24% of the portfolio, and American Express is a distant second at 15.4%. If Buffett truly had a negative view of Berkshire, would he still have approximately one-quarter of his marketable securities portfolio in Apple? Likely not.”
Edward Corona, a trader and publisher at The Options Oracle Newsletter, brought up how Apple’s stock was hovering around $231 on Jan. 17, which is a bit of a mixed spot.
He explained, “The stock’s been on a bearish trend for the past month, but over six months, it’s more neutral — kind of just finding its footing. There’s resistance up around $240-$244, so if it can break through that, we could see a nice move higher. On the flip side, there’s support at $214, so that could act as a safety net if it dips further.”
Corona will be paying attention to the earnings report coming up on Jan. 30, which he believes will either light a fire under the stock or keep things lukewarm.
Corona said, “If the broader market cooperates and Apple keeps delivering strong numbers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it make a push toward $260-$280 later in 2025. It’s all about whether it can shake off this recent pullback and find some momentum.”
