Honestly, checking the what is price of apple stock today has become a morning ritual for half the planet. It’s not just about the money; it’s about gauging the health of the entire tech world. As of right now—Saturday, January 17, 2026—the markets are closed for the weekend, but we’ve got a very clear picture of where things stood when the final bell rang on Friday.
Apple (AAPL) wrapped up the week at $255.52.
It was a bit of a rough Friday, with the stock sliding about 1.04% throughout the day. If you were watching the tickers, you saw it open at $257.90 and struggle to keep its head above water. It even dipped as low as $254.93 at one point. This isn't exactly a crisis, but for a company that was flirting with $270 just a few weeks ago in early January, it’s a bit of a wake-up call for investors.
The trading volume was massive—over 72 million shares changed hands. People are clearly repositioning. Some are cashing out after a decent 2025, while others are "buying the dip" because, well, it’s Apple.
Understanding the $255 Pivot Point
So, what is price of apple stock today telling us about the bigger picture? If you look at the charts from the last few months, $255 is becoming a bit of a "line in the sand."
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Back in late 2025, specifically around October, we saw Apple hover in this exact same range. When it broke above $260 in November and December, everyone thought we were on a one-way trip to $300. But the start of 2026 has been a reality check. On January 2nd, the stock was sitting pretty at $271.01. Since then, it’s been a slow, jagged slide down to where we are now.
Why the sudden chill in Cupertino?
There are a few things happening under the hood that explain this volatility.
- The AI "Show Me" Phase: Investors are tired of hearing about "Apple Intelligence" in press releases. They want to see it moving the needle on iPhone 17 sales.
- China Headwinds: Recent reports suggest a 3.6% dip in Chinese sales year-over-year. That’s a big deal. China is Apple’s second most important engine, and if it’s sputtering, the stock feels it.
- Chip Shortages (Again): Believe it or not, we're seeing 2026 supply chain ripples. Chipmakers are prioritizing massive data centers for AI training, which is reportedly making it harder (and more expensive) for Apple to get the components they need for consumer devices.
The Massive $3.76 Trillion Question
Even with the recent slide, Apple’s market cap is still sitting at a staggering $3.76 trillion. It’s hard to wrap your brain around that number. To put it in perspective, that’s larger than the GDP of several major European countries combined.
But market cap is a "what have you done for me lately" metric.
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When you look at the P/E ratio, it’s sitting around 34.2. That’s not exactly cheap. For years, Apple traded at a P/E in the 15-20 range. The market is now pricing Apple like a high-growth software company rather than a hardware giant. If they don't deliver double-digit revenue growth this year—which CFO Kevan Parekh recently hinted is coming—that 34 P/E starts to look very heavy.
Technical Levels to Watch
If you're a trader, you're likely looking at the moving averages. Currently, the stock is trading below its 50-day simple moving average (which is around $271.79). That’s usually a bearish signal. However, it’s still comfortably above its 200-day moving average of $248.48.
Basically, the long-term trend is still "up," but the medium-term trend is "sideways-to-down."
What Analysts Are Saying Right Now
Analysts are knd of split. You’ve got the bulls like Wedbush and Goldman Sachs who are still screaming "Buy." Goldman recently maintained a $320 price target. Their logic? The Services business is a gold mine. iCloud+ subscriptions, App Store fees, and Apple Pay are high-margin and extremely sticky.
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Then you have the skeptics. Some research notes from firms like UBS are pointing out that the "upgrade cycle" for iPhones is getting longer. People aren't buying a new phone every two years anymore; it’s more like every four. That puts a lot of pressure on Apple to make every new iPhone a "must-have."
- High Estimate: $350.00 (The "Everything Goes Right" scenario).
- Average Target: $309.17.
- Low Estimate: $230.00 (The "Recession Hits" scenario).
Is Apple Still a "Safety" Play?
For a decade, AAPL was where you put money when you were scared of the market. It was "digital gold."
In 2026, that’s shifting slightly. Because Apple is so heavily weighted in the S&P 500, when the index drops, Apple gets dragged down with it regardless of how many MacBooks they sold that week. Also, the dividend yield is currently sitting at a tiny 0.40%. You aren't buying this for the quarterly check; you're buying it for the capital appreciation.
Practical Next Steps for Investors
If you're looking at the what is price of apple stock today and wondering what to do, here's the reality:
- Watch the $250 Level: If the stock breaks below $250, the next "floor" isn't until $235. That would be a significant correction.
- Check the Earnings Calendar: Apple is scheduled to report earnings on January 29, 2026. That is the biggest catalyst on the horizon. If they beat expectations and give strong guidance for the spring, $255 will look like a bargain in hindsight.
- Consider the "Services" Growth: Don't just look at iPhone sales. If Services revenue grows at more than 13%, the stock will likely decouple from the hardware worries.
- Stay Mindful of AI Integration: The upcoming smart glasses (rumored for late 2026) are the "next big thing." If we get a leak or an announcement that they're ahead of schedule, expect a massive rally.
The stock market is a game of patience, and Apple is the ultimate patience test. It rarely goes up in a straight line, but for those holding since the sub-$200 days of early 2024, the current "dip" is just a small blip in a much larger story of growth.