Apple’s Stock Performance and Geopolitical Risks in 2026
Apple Inc. (AAPL) reached a new all-time high of $288 earlier this month before retracing to $276, marking a 38% surge since June 2025. Analysts now eye $300 as the next milestone, though regulatory headwinds and supply chain vulnerabilities cloud the outlook.
European app developers are escalating pressure on EU regulators to challenge Apple’s fee structure, citing unfair advantages for U.S. counterparts. Meanwhile, Counterpoint Research forecasts a 2.1% decline in global smartphone shipments for 2026, attributing the slump to rising chip costs and memory supply disruptions.
The tech giant’s heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing and Indian assembly exposes it to trade war volatility. Any disruption in these critical hubs could derail AAPL’s upward trajectory.
