Apple's stock turns positive for year after iPhone 17 launch

Apple's shares have experienced a notable uptick following the recent unveiling of the iPhone 17, enabling the company to recover its losses for the year 2025. With a 4% rise on Monday, Apple's stock is now slightly above a 2% increase for the year, marking a significant turnaround for the tech giant, which was the last among major tech companies to achieve this milestone. The launch event last Friday introduced a new lineup, including the iPhone 17, Apple Watch, and AirPods. The iPhone Air, priced at $999, showcases the first major redesign in years, and analysts are optimistic about its demand. "Our analysis of shipping times on Apple's website and from various carriers indicates that as of September 22, the expected shipping time for the iPhone 17 is 18 days, compared to just 10 days for the iPhone 16 last year," noted analysts from Bank of America Securities. Demand appears particularly robust in China, a crucial market for Apple, as indicated by pre-order timelines. However, the company faces challenges as it continues to lag behind other tech giants for 2026, mainly due to its lower investment in AI chips and data centers compared to competitors. Concerns have also arisen regarding Apple's delayed enhancements to its Siri assistant, which will not arrive until 2025. This has sparked discussions about Apple's competitive edge, especially against companies like Google and Microsoft that are advancing their AI integrations more aggressively. Nonetheless, Apple's latest devices feature several AI capabilities, such as the AirPods Pro 3, which can translate spoken language automatically, and the new Apple Watch models that utilize machine learning to alert users about potential high blood pressure risks.