The Rock Trading Group
CMT, Technical/Situational Analysis, Options Trading
Apple is a safe haven amid AI-stock volatility and will gain momentum if it persists over the next two weeks through the midterms. New products and another defensive day bring a momentum push toward $358, then $367 in November closer. x.comÂ
Apple's new hardware cycle has an encouraging early demand signal: Duo preorders look strong out of the gates. Duo is Cupertino's first new form factor since AirPods in 2016, and new hardware innovation will define the Ternus era. x.comÂ
The iPhone Duo's very bad experience could cause enthusiasm to all but disappear after the first wave of Apple early adopters. It feels half baked, and the initially neat opening animation has lost its appeal. Reviews have been bad or mixed enough that Apple might not trade like an inverse ETF today. x.com x.comÂ
Strong iPhone Duo launch demand supports always owning Apple shares. Launch stock sold out in minutes (often reported as about 30 minutes or less), and estimated delivery for new online orders shifted from the October 23 launch to around January 25, 2027. x.comÂ
Apple's Duo could spur a bigger upgrade cycle because its foldable form factor gives users a new reason to buy. It reportedly sold out within minutes, but Foxconn's roughly 60% assembly yield may exaggerate demand; sustained lead times as yields improve could support 2027 revenue. Early costs may pressure margins and local AI monetization remains unproven. Premium hardware and local AI could make Apple the world's most valuable company again. x.comÂ
Apple's roughly 40 times trailing and 37 times forward earnings make the shares too expensive ahead of next week's results. A short looks reasonable, though a sell-the-news reaction after earnings remains uncertain. x.com x.comÂ
Apple's balance sheet and lack of spend keep a bid under its stock whether the market rises or falls. That bid gets stronger with foldable phones that break. x.comÂ
Apple could grind steadily higher as the new product cycle from its iPhone event plays out, offering stability rather than outsized upside. x.comÂ
Apple's growth valuation gives too much credit to a $2,000 folding iPhone and a touchscreen MacBook. Its 36.16 forward P/E and 3.54 PEG are higher than recent readings over the past two years, making this a point to take serious profits. x.comÂ
Apple is a buy now on a strong holiday quarter ahead, its trusted brand and deep ecosystem integration, momentum from the foldable iPhone and an underrated future AI opportunity. x.comÂ