Needham maintains Apple stock buy rating, $260 target

Published 31/01/2025, 12:56
© Reuters

Despite these positive notes, Needham also pointed out areas where Apple did not meet expectations. iPhone revenue was slightly disappointing at $69.1 billion, marking a 1% year-over-year decline and falling 4% below Needham’s estimates. Additionally, revenue from China decreased by 11% year-over-year compared to a flat performance in the September quarter. Looking ahead, the guidance for the March quarter was characterized as weak, leading Needham to lower their estimates. The wearables segment also saw a decline, with a 2% drop year-over-year to $11.7 billion.The analyst’s commentary provided a detailed assessment of Apple’s performance, noting the mixed results in various segments of the company’s business. Despite some areas of concern, the overall outlook from Needham remains bullish, with the Buy rating and $260 price target indicating confidence in Apple’s continued growth and market presence. Current analyst targets range from $190 to $325, with a consensus recommendation of Buy. For deeper insights into Apple’s valuation and growth prospects, including exclusive financial metrics and expert analysis, visit InvestingPro. Current analyst targets range from $190 to $325, with a consensus recommendation of Buy. For deeper insights into Apple’s valuation and growth prospects, including exclusive financial metrics and expert analysis, visit InvestingPro.

Despite these positive notes, Needham also pointed out areas where Apple did not meet expectations. iPhone revenue was slightly disappointing at $69.1 billion, marking a 1% year-over-year decline and falling 4% below Needham’s estimates. Additionally, revenue from China decreased by 11% year-over-year compared to a flat performance in the September quarter. Looking ahead, the guidance for the March quarter was characterized as weak, leading Needham to lower their estimates. The wearables segment also saw a decline, with a 2% drop year-over-year to $11.7 billion.The analyst’s commentary provided a detailed assessment of Apple’s performance, noting the mixed results in various segments of the company’s business. Despite some areas of concern, the overall outlook from Needham remains bullish, with the Buy rating and $260 price target indicating confidence in Apple’s continued growth and market presence. Current analyst targets range from $190 to $325, with a consensus recommendation of Buy. For deeper insights into Apple’s valuation and growth prospects, including exclusive financial metrics and expert analysis, visit InvestingPro.

Despite these positive notes, Needham also pointed out areas where Apple did not meet expectations. iPhone revenue was slightly disappointing at $69.1 billion, marking a 1% year-over-year decline and falling 4% below Needham’s estimates. Additionally, revenue from China decreased by 11% year-over-year compared to a flat performance in the September quarter. Looking ahead, the guidance for the March quarter was characterized as weak, leading Needham to lower their estimates. The wearables segment also saw a decline, with a 2% drop year-over-year to $11.7 billion.

The analyst’s commentary provided a detailed assessment of Apple’s performance, noting the mixed results in various segments of the company’s business. Despite some areas of concern, the overall outlook from Needham remains bullish, with the Buy rating and $260 price target indicating confidence in Apple’s continued growth and market presence.

In other recent news, Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). has been the focus of several analyst adjustments. Jefferies lifted Apple’s stock price target to $202.33, maintaining an underperform rating, while Redburn raised the target to $230, maintaining a neutral rating. Baird reaffirmed its positive stance, keeping an Outperform rating and a $260 target, while Barclays (LON:BARC) increased its target to $197 from $183, maintaining an underweight rating due to potential risks in the Chinese market. JPMorgan increased the price target for Apple stock to $270, maintaining an Overweight rating.

Apple’s recent financial results showed revenues and earnings per share generally aligning with expectations, despite a slight decrease in iPhone sales. The company’s robust services sector compensated for these softer sales. Apple also provided guidance for the second fiscal quarter, projecting consistent revenue growth with the first quarter.

These are recent developments in the financial performance and future outlook of Apple Inc. Analyst firms Baird, Barclays, JPMorgan, BofA Securities, and TD Cowen have all recently adjusted their price targets for Apple, while maintaining various ratings. UBS and Piper Sandler reiterated a Neutral rating, following the slight decline in iPhone revenue.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.