Apple Avoids $20 Billion Blow as Google Antitrust Ruling Preserves Search Deal

Apple Inc. sidestepped a potential $20 billion annual revenue loss after a U.S. district judge upheld Google's right to maintain its lucrative search partnership with the iPhone maker. The ruling preserves a critical revenue stream that contributes roughly 21% of Apple's $96.2 billion Services segment.

Shares of Apple climbed 2.5% to $236 following the decision, which allows Google to continue paying for default search placement across Safari, Siri, and other Apple services. While the court imposed one-year contract limitations and banned anti-competitive app restrictions, Apple's existing integration of rival AI services like ChatGPT mitigates potential disruption.

The verdict provides stability for Apple's services ecosystem after years of regulatory uncertainty. Google's appeal of the underlying antitrust finding leaves room for future renegotiation of the terms, but for now, the tech giant's financial footing appears secure.