Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Robert W. Baird Analyst Says

Key Points

• Robert W. Baird raised its Apple price target from $310 to $330 and kept an outperform rating, implying modest upside from the prior close.
• Wall Street remains generally positive on Apple: the stock has a Moderate Buy consensus, with analysts’ average target at $327.40 and several firms recently lifting targets or reiterating buy ratings.
• Apple’s latest results were strong, with quarterly EPS of $2.01 and revenue of $111.18 billion, both ahead of estimates, while the company also continues to attract institutional ownership despite some insider selling.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - Get Free Report) had its target price increased by Robert W. Baird from $310.00 to $330.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday. The brokerage currently has an "outperform" rating on the iPhone maker's stock. Robert W. Baird's price target would suggest a potential upside of 2.59% from the company's previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on AAPL. Morgan Stanley set a $364.00 target price on Apple and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday. KeyCorp lowered shares of Apple from a "sector weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and set a $250.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating and set a $365.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Apple in a report on Monday, July 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Apple in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Apple from $335.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $327.40.

Apple Price Performance

Shares of AAPL stock opened at $321.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.72 trillion, a P/E ratio of 38.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.02. Apple has a 1-year low of $201.50 and a 1-year high of $334.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $305.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $278.63.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $111.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.46 billion. Apple had a net margin of 27.15% and a return on equity of 146.69%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.65 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Apple will post 8.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Ben Borders sold 1,274 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.00, for a total value of $369,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 38,713 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,226,770. This represents a 3.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Evansbrook LLC increased its position in Apple by 0.4% in the first quarter. Evansbrook LLC now owns 8,095 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $2,054,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. JMG Financial Group Ltd. lifted its position in Apple by 0.7% during the first quarter. JMG Financial Group Ltd. now owns 5,102 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $1,295,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. grew its stake in shares of Apple by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. now owns 9,898 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $2,520,000 after buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. WESPAC Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Apple by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. WESPAC Advisors LLC now owns 12,326 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $3,351,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Interactive Financial Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Apple by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Interactive Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,051 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $286,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 67.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Apple News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Ford announced it will integrate Apple Maps and Apple’s automotive software tools into upcoming EVs, giving Apple a new foothold in in-car navigation and potentially opening the door for broader adoption by other automakers. Ford Will Use Apple Software in New Self-Driving System
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports suggest Apple is preparing AI-driven upgrades across its Mac lineup and testing smarter shopping tools for the App Store, reinforcing the view that Apple is advancing its consumer AI strategy ahead of earnings. Apple Plans To Overhaul Computers to Meet AI Demand
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street commentary remained constructive, with analysts and commentators highlighting Apple’s durable ecosystem, AI optionality, and recent stock strength; Morgan Stanley even reportedly raised its Apple target. 47 Analysts Cover Apple. Their Average Price Target Is Now Below the Stock Price, One Week Before Earnings.
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles framed Apple as a standout “Magnificent Seven” name, with investors viewing it as less exposed than peers to heavy AI infrastructure spending and more supported by its installed base and pricing power. Why Apple Could Be the Last One Standing in the Tech Wreck
• Neutral Sentiment: Apple is also reportedly exploring a device-leasing/“upgrade” program with Klarna, which could support demand but may change how iPhone revenue is recognized over time. Apple Is Reportedly Launching a Device-Leasing Program With Klarna on July 28
• Negative Sentiment: Apple lost a key court bid in the ongoing Apple Watch blood-oxygen dispute, leaving a $634 million verdict in place and keeping legal risk overhang on the shares. Apple Fails to Overturn $634 Million Masimo Verdict
• Negative Sentiment: At the same time, several market articles noted that Apple’s valuation is stretched and that analyst price targets now sit near or slightly below the current trading level, making the stock vulnerable if earnings or guidance disappoint. 47 Analysts Cover Apple. Their Average Price Target Is Now Below the Stock Price, One Week Before Earnings.

About Apple

Apple Inc NASDAQ: AAPL is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, software and services. Over its history Apple has evolved from personal computers to a broad portfolio that spans mobile devices, wearables, home entertainment and digital services.

Apple's principal hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet, Mac personal computers, Apple Watch wearable devices and a range of accessories such as AirPods and HomePod.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.