AI-Driven Shopping Surge Influences Black Friday — These Tech ETFs Could Gain Advantage
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 02 2025
0mins
Should l Buy AAPL?
Source: Benzinga
AI's Role in Retail: Artificial intelligence has become a crucial intermediary in retail, significantly influencing consumer behavior during Black Friday shopping, with AI-driven traffic to retail websites increasing by over 800%.
Impact on Spending: U.S. online spending reached $11.8 billion on Black Friday, a 9.1% increase from the previous year, while e-commerce growth outpaced in-store sales, highlighting the effectiveness of AI in product discovery and deal-hunting.
ETFs Benefiting from AI: Technology-focused ETFs, such as the iShares U.S. Technology ETF and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF, are positioned to benefit from the growing reliance on AI in retail, as they include major companies like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Consumer Behavior Trends: Despite increased spending, consumers purchased fewer items per order due to higher prices and inflation concerns, indicating a cautious approach to holiday shopping, with expectations for Cyber Monday to set new records.
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Analyst Views on AAPL
Wall Street analysts forecast AAPL stock price to rise
27 Analyst Rating
17 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 246.630
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
Current: 246.630
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
About AAPL
Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a variety of related services. Its product categories include iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Wearables, Home and Accessories. Its software platforms include iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS. Its services include advertising, AppleCare, cloud services, digital content and payment services. The Company operates various platforms, including the App Store, that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games and podcasts. It also offers digital content through subscription-based services, including Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+. Its products include iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone SE, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Air, AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Sales Growth Driver: The successful launch of the iPhone 17 has propelled Apple's latest quarterly year-over-year revenue growth to nearly 16%, marking the highest growth rate in over three years, indicating that devices remain a crucial revenue source for the company.
- Service Business Outlook: With over 2.5 billion active devices and paid accounts reaching an all-time high, Apple's services segment shows significant growth potential, expected to comprise a larger share of total sales in the future, thereby enhancing profits and margins.
- Investment Value Assessment: Although Apple's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 28.8, above the industry average of 20.9, its strong brand, cash flow, and growth opportunities suggest the stock remains attractive, especially after a 14% pullback, making it a buy on the dip.
See More
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- Strong U.S. Crude Performance: U.S. crude for May also increased by 1.5% to $102.92 per barrel, with a 51% rise in March, representing the best performance since May 2020, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
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- Market Performance: Despite Chevron's stock lagging the S&P 500 by over 10% in 2025, Buffett's average purchase price of about $132 per share reflects his commitment to value investing principles.
- Future Potential: The capture of Venezuelan President Maduro may open new long-term opportunities for Chevron, which is the only U.S. oil major actively drilling in the country, although the situation remains unpredictable.
- Substantial Returns: With global energy prices soaring, Chevron's stock has risen 37% in 2026, resulting in a 58% return on Berkshire's latest investment, marking a final masterstroke by Buffett that is likely to yield dividends in the years to come.
See More
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- Timely Investment: Despite Chevron's stock lagging the S&P 500 by more than 10% in 2025, Buffett purchased shares at an average price of about $132, demonstrating his keen eye for value investment opportunities.
- Market Rebound Potential: With global energy prices skyrocketing due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Chevron's stock has risen 37% year-to-date in 2026, allowing Berkshire to realize a 58% return on this investment in less than six months, further solidifying Buffett's investment strategy.
- Venezuelan Opportunities: Buffett's investment may also benefit from the changing situation in Venezuela, as Chevron is the only U.S. oil major actively drilling in the country, potentially positioning the company for long-term opportunities in the region.
See More
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- Declining Profitability: Earnings per share (EPS) fell to 35 cents, a 35% decrease from the previous year, although it beat the consensus estimate of 29 cents, indicating challenges in inventory clearance that impacted overall profitability and heightened market concerns about future performance.
- Chinese Market Recovery: Despite a 7% year-over-year decline in sales in China, the region's revenue of $1.62 billion surpassed analyst estimates by $100 million, suggesting a gradual recovery after a significant 17% drop in the prior quarter, yet the outlook remains bleak for future quarters.
- Bleak Future Guidance: Nike's guidance for Q4 FY2026 is disappointing again, forecasting a revenue decline of 2% to 4% and a year-over-year drop in gross margins by 25 to 75 basis points, indicating substantial challenges in the recovery process and further eroding market confidence.
See More
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- Employment Data Expectations: ADP is set to release employment data at 8:15 a.m. ET, with a consensus estimate of 39,000 new jobs in the private sector, which will provide a crucial indicator of economic health and could influence investor confidence and market trends.
- Retail Sales Growth: Retail sales figures are expected to be released at 8:30 a.m., with a general forecast of a 0.5% increase, a data point that will directly impact consumer spending and the outlook for economic recovery, potentially guiding a market rebound.
- Corporate Earnings Dynamics: Cal-Maine, Conagra, and Lamb Weston are scheduled to report earnings before the bell, with Cal-Maine's stock flat over the past three months, Conagra down 9%, and Lamb Weston showing no significant change, all of which will affect investor sentiment towards the food sector.
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