Apple Stock Hits $266.18 Close Amid Q1 Record Earnings and Spring Hardware Buzz

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares saw a positive start to the week, closing at $266.18 on Monday, February 23, 2026. This represents a 0.60% increase (+$1.60) from the previous session, as the stock continues to recover from a brief dip earlier in the month. The upward momentum reflects ongoing strength from record-breaking holiday earnings and anticipation for Apple’s spring product roadmap.

Market Performance and Valuation

Apple’s market capitalization remains near the $4.0 trillion mark, solidifying its position as the world’s most valuable company. The stock is approximately 8% below its all-time high of $288.61 (reached in late 2025) but has shown resilience in early 2026. Trading volume was steady at 37.3 million shares, reflecting broad institutional support. As of February 24 intraday, AAPL trades around $272.40 (up 2.34% or +$6.22), with a day range of $267.74–$274.89.

Record-Breaking Q1 2026 Results

Investors continue to digest Apple’s fiscal first-quarter results (reported January 29, 2026), which shattered Wall Street expectations:

• Total Revenue: A record $143.8 billion, up 16% year-over-year.
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): An all-time high of $2.84, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71.
• Services Explosion: The segment reached a massive milestone, crossing $30 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time (up 14% YoY). With a gross margin of 76.5%, Services now serves as a high-profit anchor.
• Installed Base: CEO Tim Cook confirmed Apple’s active device ecosystem has surpassed 2.5 billion devices.

Spring Product Anticipation

While no official “Special Apple Experience” event has been announced for March 4, analysts expect a late March hardware refresh focusing on:

• M5 MacBooks: Refreshed MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models powered by next-generation M5 silicon (expected H1 2026).
• iPad Updates: Potential M5 iPad Pro refresh alongside OLED iPad Air rumors.

The iPhone 17 lineup (expected fall 2026) remains a key long-term catalyst, with supply chain reports pointing to A19 chips, improved modems, and design refinements driving 38% China growth seen in recent quarters.

Strategic Outlook

Despite EU regulatory scrutiny and global tariff concerns, analyst sentiment remains bullish. Morgan Stanley and Wedbush maintain price targets between $280–$300, citing Apple’s pivot toward an AI-driven services platform (P/E ~34.4, EPS $7.91). As February closes, focus remains on spring hardware reveals that could push AAPL toward new highs.