Apple Shares Face Longest Losing Streak in Decades Amid Divergent Analyst Views

Apple Inc. is navigating a period of sustained share price weakness not witnessed in over thirty years. The technology giant’s stock has declined for eight consecutive trading sessions, marking its most prolonged downturn since 1991. Since the close of the previous year, the equity has shed approximately 6% of its value. This persistent slide is unfolding even as certain Wall Street analysts are raising their price targets, creating a complex picture for investors.

Upcoming Earnings to Provide Crucial Test

All eyes are now on Apple’s scheduled earnings release for its fiscal first quarter on January 29. Market observers anticipate continued volatility in the share price leading up to this event. The report is expected to deliver a clear verdict on whether robust demand for premium devices and the strength of the services division can counterbalance more skeptical market forecasts.

Analyst Consensus Remains Divided

The current market sentiment presents a stark contrast. On one side, investment firm Evercore ISI has expressed notable optimism. The analysts not only reaffirmed their “Outperform” rating but also increased their price target from $325 to $330 per share. Their confidence stems from observed resilient demand for iPhone models, especially within the high-end segment, coupled with manageable costs for memory components.

Evercore’s projections for the fourth quarter are notably above the broader market consensus. They anticipate revenue of $140.5 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $137.3 billion. Similarly, their earnings per share forecast of $2.71 exceeds the consensus call of $2.66.

In contrast, Mizuho Securities strikes a more cautious note. The firm has issued a projection forecasting an 8% decline in iPhone sales for the calendar year 2026, highlighting the ongoing divergence in expert assessments of the company’s core product trajectory.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Apple?

Strategic Shift in Financial Services Partnership

Amid the share price pressure, Apple is executing a significant strategic transition within its services ecosystem. The company is transferring the issuance of its Apple Card from Goldman Sachs to JPMorgan Chase. This move involves a consumer loan portfolio valued at roughly $20 billion, with the complete transition process estimated to take up to 24 months.

This shift was initiated following Goldman Sachs’ strategic decision to scale back its consumer banking operations. For Apple, the primary objective is to ensure the stability and long-term viability of its financial services offerings. However, the credit business continues to be an area of close scrutiny, with experts monitoring the underlying quality of the borrower portfolio.

Regulatory and Political Scrutiny Intensifies

Adding another layer of complexity, Apple is facing increased regulatory and political pressure concerning its App Store operations. A group of Democratic senators, including Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Ben Ray Luján, has publicly called on the company to remove the social media platforms “X” and “Grok” from its digital marketplace. The legislators accuse these platforms of violating Apple’s own terms of service by allegedly facilitating the creation of non-consensual deepfake imagery.

Given that the App Store constitutes a central pillar of Apple’s high-margin services revenue, any actions—or inactions—in this arena carry potential reputational and operational risks. This situation underscores the growing challenges Apple faces in managing its powerful platform.