Apple Considers Perplexity AI Bid Amid Global Data Breach Fallout

Apple shares climbed 2.25% to $201.00 as reports surfaced of potential acquisition talks with AI startup Perplexity. The MOVE signals Apple's aggressive push into artificial intelligence, potentially reducing its dependence on Google's search technology.

The tech giant faces simultaneous challenges from a massive 16 billion-credential data breach. Security analysts warn of heightened phishing and identity theft risks across Apple's ecosystem. Despite these headwinds, the company maintains a 136.50% five-year return, underscoring its market resilience.

Bloomberg sources indicate discussions remain preliminary, but the acquisition would accelerate Apple's AI roadmap. The breach's timing creates operational complexity as Apple balances growth initiatives with cybersecurity remediation.