Evercore ISI Maintains "Outperform" Rating for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Font: Financial Modeling Prep  • Mar 02, 2026

• Evercore ISI reiterates an "Outperform" rating for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), signaling confidence in the company's future performance, particularly with its recent advancements in AI and product launches.
• Apple's strategic enhancements in device storage capacities are aimed at supporting advanced AI capabilities, with the iPhone 17e offering higher storage at the same price point, effectively acting as a price reduction.
• The introduction of the M4 chip in the iPad Air, offering up to a 30% increase in speed, alongside the unchanged pricing for the new models, underscores Apple's commitment to innovation and value.

On March 2, 2026, Evercore ISI reiterated its "Outperform" rating for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), with the stock priced at $266.11. This rating suggests confidence in Apple's future performance, encouraging investors to maintain their positions. Apple's recent product launches and strategic moves in artificial intelligence (AI) are likely factors contributing to this positive outlook.

Apple has unveiled its latest iPhone and iPad Air models, marking a significant step as the company prepares for a major push into AI. The tech giant is increasing the storage capacity of its devices, a strategic move anticipated to support upcoming enhancements to Siri, expected later this year. This development highlights Apple's commitment to integrating advanced AI capabilities into its product lineup.

The introduction of the iPhone 17e, priced at $599, is a strategic move amidst rising memory chip prices due to a global shortage. By offering higher storage capacity at the same price point, Apple is positioning the iPhone 17e as a more attractive value option. Analysts perceive this increase in storage at the same price as a de facto price reduction, as customers previously had to pay extra for higher capacity.

In addition to the iPhone, Apple has updated the iPad Air. While the design and price remain unchanged, the iPad Air now features the M4 chip, replacing the previous M3 chip. The 11-inch model is priced at $599, and the 13-inch version remains at $799. According to Apple, the new processor offers up to a 30% increase in speed compared to the previous generation. The company has indicated that more product announcements are planned in the coming days.

The current stock price of Apple Inc. (AAPL) is $266.10, reflecting an increase of $1.92 or 0.73% from the previous trading session. Today, the stock has traded between a low of $260.20 and a high of $266.29. Over the past year, AAPL has reached a high of $288.62 and a low of $169.21. The company's market capitalization stands at approximately $3.91 trillion. The trading volume for the day is 17.6 million shares on the NASDAQ exchange.