Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is fueling one of the strongest fourth quarters in recent years. According to investment firm Wedbush, the company’s latest flagship series has exceeded expectations in both the U.S. and China, prompting analysts to project Apple will outperform Wall Street forecasts when it announces earnings on October 30.
Demand for the iPhone Air, in particular, has proven stronger than anticipated, contradicting earlier market assumptions of sluggish sales. This surge in performance has helped Apple recover from the tariff-related setbacks that impacted its stock value earlier in the year. As of October 20, Apple’s stock reached an all-time high of $262.42, marking a remarkable rebound under CEO Tim Cook’s leadership.
Analysts Eye AI as Apple’s Next Big Move
While Apple’s current momentum is built on the success of its hardware, analysts emphasize that sustained growth will depend heavily on how well the company executes its artificial intelligence strategy. Wedbush predicts that successful integration of AI tools could raise Apple’s stock by $75 to $100 per share in the coming years.
The firm highlights the timing as ideal for Apple to expand its AI collaborations, especially as its longstanding deal with Google over default search engines remains intact. This could pave the way for new partnerships, including the possible addition of Google’s Gemini AI to enhance Apple’s ecosystem alongside OpenAI’s technology.
Toward a $4 Trillion Valuation
Despite minor premarket dips following the recent highs, Apple remains poised to reach new milestones. Should its stock surpass $268.26, the company will hit an unprecedented $4 trillion valuation—a testament to its resilience and innovation-driven market strategy.
As Apple prepares for its upcoming earnings call, the message from investors is clear: the iPhone 17 has set the bar high, but the next wave of growth will depend on how deeply Apple weaves AI into its future.
