Apple (AAPL) Target Raised as Jefferies Sees Stronger iPhone Demand

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is included among the 13 Top Tech Stocks Paying Consistent Dividends.

On December 17, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee lifted Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s price target to $283.36 from $246.99 while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. The firm boosted its iPhone shipment forecasts, raising Q1 estimates by 7% and FY26 projections by 3%. It also factored in a foldable iPhone starting in FY27. Jefferies said Apple’s premium pricing gives it a strong buffer against rising memory costs.

In other news, CNBC reported that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has assured investors it plans to roll out the next version of Siri, its AI-powered voice assistant. A lot is riding on the debut of a “more personal Siri,” especially as Apple has largely stayed on the sidelines of the AI push that accelerated after OpenAI introduced ChatGPT in late 2022.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) rarely shares details about its product roadmap, but Siri has been an exception. The company had initially planned to release the upgraded assistant in 2025. In March, though, Apple pushed back the launch, even after promoting the feature in ads, saying it would now arrive sometime in “the coming year.”

CEO Tim Cook told investors in October that development work on Siri is moving along well.

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