By Apple shares rose to record levels on Monday following a Loop Capital upgrade to buy from hold, marking the latest signal of optimism around the tech giant’s iPhone sales.
Shares rose 3.1% to an all time high on Monday, beating the previous high reached in December 2024.
Despite this uptick, Apple remains up just 6% year-to-date in 2025, underperforming the 19% gain of the Nasdaq 100 Index over the same period.
Loop Capital cited strong iPhone demand trends as a key driver for the upgrade.
Analyst Ananda Baruah noted, “We are now at the front end of Apple’s long-anticipated adoption cycle that suggests ongoing iPhone shipment expansion through CY2027.”
Baruah highlighted that this cycle is being fueled by a combination of regular refresh cycles and demand catalyzed by new design cycles, reflecting faster replacement of older devices.
Loop Capital lifts price target to street-high level
Alongside the upgrade, Loop Capital raised its price target on Apple shares to $315, up from $226, marking a Street-high outlook.
The new target implies approximately 25% upside from Friday’s closing price.
Analyst John Donovan further emphasized “surging demand” for the iPhone 17, reporting that total iPhone shipments in CQ3 2025 reached 56.5 million, exceeding expectations.
Loop’s optimism is supported by recent market data.
Over the first ten days of sales, the iPhone 17 series outsold the iPhone 16 by 14% in the US and China, according to Counterpoint Research.
The firm also highlighted Apple’s plans to introduce lighter, foldable designs and its first purpose-built “AI Phone”, projecting these innovations could sustain elevated demand and drive further adoption.
Loop Capital believes Apple could experience three consecutive record iPhone shipment years between 2025 and 2027, which would reinforce the stock’s long-term growth prospects.
The firm noted that, while Wall Street has already factored in some degree of outperformance from the iPhone 17 family, there remains material upside to consensus expectations.
Analyst consensus and stock performance
Loop Capital is not alone in its positive outlook.
Evercore ISI recently added Apple to its tactical outperform list, citing robust iPhone demand that may exceed a typical refresh cycle.
According to Bloomberg data, 58% of analysts currently recommend buying Apple shares, a ratio slightly lower than for other large-cap tech stocks.
Apple has seen a notable 22% gain over the past three months, reflecting renewed investor confidence following months of subdued performance.
At the same time, 32 of 52 analysts covering the stock have issued a buy or strong buy rating, per LSEG data.
With Loop’s upgrade, a record-high price target, and continued enthusiasm around new iPhone models, Apple shares are poised for potential further gains.
The combination of innovative product design, robust shipment growth, and sustained demand provides investors with a strong case for long-term upside through 2027.
As of Monday, Apple shares were up 3% following the Loop upgrade, reinforcing the stock’s trajectory toward its all-time highs.
The stock’s performance highlights investor focus on both near-term catalysts, like the iPhone 17, and broader structural growth in Apple’s flagship smartphone business.
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