Zacks to Release Top 10 Stock Picks for 2026 on January 5
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 26 2025
0mins
Should l Buy AAPL?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Outstanding Historical Performance: Since 2012, Zacks' Top 10 Stocks portfolio has gained 2,530.8% through November 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 570.3%, showcasing their stock-picking prowess.
- Curated Stock Strategy: Zacks' Director of Research, Sheraz Mian, is meticulously selecting the best 10 stocks from a pool of 4,400 companies, aiming to provide investors with high-quality long-term investment opportunities.
- Upcoming Recommendations: These selected stocks will be officially released on January 5, 2026, presenting investors with a timely opportunity to position themselves for potential gains.
- Short-Term Recommendation Report: Zacks is also offering a free report on the “7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days,” further assisting investors in capitalizing on short-term market opportunities.
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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: 258.860
Low
239.00
Averages
306.89
High
350.00
Current: 258.860
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.
Apple's App Store Revenue Grows 7% in Q1
- Revenue Growth Analysis: According to UBS, Apple's (AAPL) App Store revenue increased by 7% year-over-year in Q1 2026, although the growth was only about 80 basis points higher than the previous quarter, indicating a slowdown in momentum.
- FX Impact: On a foreign exchange neutral basis, the App Store's growth was approximately 5% in Q1 2026, consistent with Q4 2025, highlighting the significant supportive role of FX factors on revenue.
- Future Outlook: Looking ahead to the June 2026 quarter, Apple's revenue growth expectation is around 12%, essentially unchanged from the previous quarter, indicating stability in future growth despite increasing competitive pressures.
- Regional Performance Disparity: The App Store revenue in the U.S. was essentially flat year-over-year, down roughly 320 basis points, while the rest of the world saw about 11% year-over-year growth, showcasing strong performance in international markets.
See More
Apple Shares Drop 4% Amid Foldable iPhone Delay Reports
- Engineering Challenges: Apple is facing engineering challenges with its foldable iPhones, which may delay the anticipated launch alongside the iPhone 18 in September 2026, impacting market expectations and future revenue projections.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following this news, Apple shares dropped 4% on Tuesday, reflecting investor concerns about the company's ability to resolve these engineering issues, which could affect its position in the highly competitive smartphone market.
- Competitive Pressure: With Samsung and Huawei having launched foldable phones since 2019, Apple's delays may hinder its innovation and market share, intensifying competitive pressures in the industry.
- Critical Timeline: According to Nikkei, Apple must resolve engineering issues by early May to ensure smooth production, making this timeline crucial for the company's upcoming product launches.
See More
US Stocks Decline as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Tensions
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.63%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.66%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.78%, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions, particularly the escalating situation in Iran that could impact market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: Crude oil prices rose over 2% to a four-week high, with the market closely watching diplomatic efforts ahead of President Trump's deadline, as failure to reach a ceasefire could lead to escalated conflict and further inflationary pressures.
- Supportive Economic Data: February's non-defense capital goods new orders increased by 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing expectations of 0.5%, indicating a rebound in capital spending, although overall market sentiment remains influenced by oil prices and geopolitical factors.
- Interest Rate Expectations Shift: The market is pricing in only a 3% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike by the Fed at the April meeting, reflecting cautious investor sentiment regarding economic outlook, especially in light of rising oil prices potentially driving inflation.
See More
The Dow Approaches a Crucial Technical Level: Focus on Apple and Home Depot Stocks.
Dow Jones Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has tested its 200-day simple moving average, a key technical indicator for market momentum.
Investor Sentiment: Investors are closely monitoring this test to determine if it signals a potential upward trend or if it represents another challenge in the ongoing market recovery.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices are also approaching similar technical levels, indicating a broader market interest in these trends.
Market Recovery Outlook: The outcome of this test could influence perceptions of the market's recovery trajectory, highlighting the uncertainty in current economic conditions.
See More
Amazon and USPS Reach Tentative Package-Handling Agreement
- Package-Handling Agreement: Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service have reached a tentative agreement that reduces Amazon's USPS shipment cuts from two-thirds to only 20%, ensuring the Postal Service continues to handle over 1 billion packages annually, thereby stabilizing Amazon's last-mile logistics network while protecting roughly $6 billion in revenue for the Postal Service.
- Logistics Competitive Landscape: By maintaining high shipment volumes with USPS, Amazon avoids over-reliance on rivals like United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx, who have previously scaled back their partnerships with the e-commerce giant, thus ensuring its competitive edge in the e-commerce sector.
- Rural Infrastructure Protection: This deal allows Amazon to sustain its one-to-two-day delivery promises in low-density areas without the immediate capital expenditure required to fully replace the Postal Service's massive existing ground network, thereby securing its market share in these regions.
- Strategic Implications: The agreement not only reinforces Amazon's logistics capabilities but also reflects its strategy of relying on external partners to meet complex delivery demands while expanding its own logistics operations, showcasing its flexible market response strategy.
See More
Buffett Admits to Selling Apple Stock Too Soon
- Investor Confidence: In a CNBC interview, Buffett acknowledged that he sold Berkshire's Apple stock too soon, although it still holds a 23% stake, indicating his continued optimism about Apple's long-term prospects and potential future purchases.
- Holding Proportion Changes: Berkshire's stake in Apple once reached 40%, but has been significantly reduced in recent years, reflecting the company's cautious approach to concentrated investments and its strategy to navigate market volatility.
- Market Reaction: Despite Apple's stock declining over 6% amid the AI boom, Buffett's praise for CEO Tim Cook and confidence in the company's future may bolster investor sentiment and promote a rebound in stock prices.
- AI Strategic Outlook: Apple's unclear AI strategy puts it at a disadvantage in competition, but its partnership with Google could open new opportunities for AI products and services, further solidifying its market position in consumer electronics.
See More
Apple's App Store Revenue Grows 7% in Q1
- Revenue Growth Analysis: According to UBS, Apple's (AAPL) App Store revenue increased by 7% year-over-year in Q1 2026, although the growth was only about 80 basis points higher than the previous quarter, indicating a slowdown in momentum.
- FX Impact: On a foreign exchange neutral basis, the App Store's growth was approximately 5% in Q1 2026, consistent with Q4 2025, highlighting the significant supportive role of FX factors on revenue.
- Future Outlook: Looking ahead to the June 2026 quarter, Apple's revenue growth expectation is around 12%, essentially unchanged from the previous quarter, indicating stability in future growth despite increasing competitive pressures.
- Regional Performance Disparity: The App Store revenue in the U.S. was essentially flat year-over-year, down roughly 320 basis points, while the rest of the world saw about 11% year-over-year growth, showcasing strong performance in international markets.
See More
Apple Shares Drop 4% Amid Foldable iPhone Delay Reports
- Engineering Challenges: Apple is facing engineering challenges with its foldable iPhones, which may delay the anticipated launch alongside the iPhone 18 in September 2026, impacting market expectations and future revenue projections.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following this news, Apple shares dropped 4% on Tuesday, reflecting investor concerns about the company's ability to resolve these engineering issues, which could affect its position in the highly competitive smartphone market.
- Competitive Pressure: With Samsung and Huawei having launched foldable phones since 2019, Apple's delays may hinder its innovation and market share, intensifying competitive pressures in the industry.
- Critical Timeline: According to Nikkei, Apple must resolve engineering issues by early May to ensure smooth production, making this timeline crucial for the company's upcoming product launches.
See More
US Stocks Decline as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran Tensions
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.63%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.66%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 0.78%, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions, particularly the escalating situation in Iran that could impact market stability.
- Surge in Oil Prices: Crude oil prices rose over 2% to a four-week high, with the market closely watching diplomatic efforts ahead of President Trump's deadline, as failure to reach a ceasefire could lead to escalated conflict and further inflationary pressures.
- Supportive Economic Data: February's non-defense capital goods new orders increased by 0.6% month-over-month, surpassing expectations of 0.5%, indicating a rebound in capital spending, although overall market sentiment remains influenced by oil prices and geopolitical factors.
- Interest Rate Expectations Shift: The market is pricing in only a 3% chance of a 25 basis point rate hike by the Fed at the April meeting, reflecting cautious investor sentiment regarding economic outlook, especially in light of rising oil prices potentially driving inflation.
See More
The Dow Approaches a Crucial Technical Level: Focus on Apple and Home Depot Stocks.
Dow Jones Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has tested its 200-day simple moving average, a key technical indicator for market momentum.
Investor Sentiment: Investors are closely monitoring this test to determine if it signals a potential upward trend or if it represents another challenge in the ongoing market recovery.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices are also approaching similar technical levels, indicating a broader market interest in these trends.
Market Recovery Outlook: The outcome of this test could influence perceptions of the market's recovery trajectory, highlighting the uncertainty in current economic conditions.
See More
Amazon and USPS Reach Tentative Package-Handling Agreement
- Package-Handling Agreement: Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service have reached a tentative agreement that reduces Amazon's USPS shipment cuts from two-thirds to only 20%, ensuring the Postal Service continues to handle over 1 billion packages annually, thereby stabilizing Amazon's last-mile logistics network while protecting roughly $6 billion in revenue for the Postal Service.
- Logistics Competitive Landscape: By maintaining high shipment volumes with USPS, Amazon avoids over-reliance on rivals like United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx, who have previously scaled back their partnerships with the e-commerce giant, thus ensuring its competitive edge in the e-commerce sector.
- Rural Infrastructure Protection: This deal allows Amazon to sustain its one-to-two-day delivery promises in low-density areas without the immediate capital expenditure required to fully replace the Postal Service's massive existing ground network, thereby securing its market share in these regions.
- Strategic Implications: The agreement not only reinforces Amazon's logistics capabilities but also reflects its strategy of relying on external partners to meet complex delivery demands while expanding its own logistics operations, showcasing its flexible market response strategy.
See More
Buffett Admits to Selling Apple Stock Too Soon
- Investor Confidence: In a CNBC interview, Buffett acknowledged that he sold Berkshire's Apple stock too soon, although it still holds a 23% stake, indicating his continued optimism about Apple's long-term prospects and potential future purchases.
- Holding Proportion Changes: Berkshire's stake in Apple once reached 40%, but has been significantly reduced in recent years, reflecting the company's cautious approach to concentrated investments and its strategy to navigate market volatility.
- Market Reaction: Despite Apple's stock declining over 6% amid the AI boom, Buffett's praise for CEO Tim Cook and confidence in the company's future may bolster investor sentiment and promote a rebound in stock prices.
- AI Strategic Outlook: Apple's unclear AI strategy puts it at a disadvantage in competition, but its partnership with Google could open new opportunities for AI products and services, further solidifying its market position in consumer electronics.
See More
