Apple Stock Rebounds in 2025 After iPhone 17 Launch, Though Challenges Remain

Apple Inc. shares have turned positive for 2025, erasing earlier losses with a 1.96% year-to-date gain following the launch of its iPhone 17 lineup. The stock had plunged to $254.43 on September 24, down 1.26% YTD, underperforming Big Tech peers. A 4% rally this week was fueled by strong initial demand for the redesigned iPhone 17 Air, which features a $999 price point and benefits from China subsidies.

UBS data reveals divergent demand trends: wait times for the base iPhone 17 model stretched to 18 days in the U.S. (up from 11 days), while higher-end models saw muted interest. This mix shift threatens Apple's average selling price growth despite near-term shipment boosts. The company continues to lag Microsoft and Google in AI development, with major Siri upgrades delayed until 2026.

All eyes now turn to Apple's September 25 earnings report for confirmation of whether this rebound represents sustainable momentum or temporary product cycle strength. The stock remains far behind the S&P 500's 13.18% gain this year.