14 DAY TRIAL // Judging from the existing leaks, the upcoming iPhone 8 will be one of the most dramatic makeovers of Apple’s flagship device since its launch in 2007, with analysts expecting record sales, not only from new buyers, but also from existing customers who are likely to upgrade from older models.
With everyone expecting the iPhone 8 to be such a massive hit, Apple’s shares are obviously increasing at a record pace, especially as we get closer to the rumored September launch of the new model.
Today, for instance, Apple’s stock reached $144.15 per share and $144.25 per share in after-hours trading, with an all-time high of $156.10 reached on May 12.
Apple versus Microsoft
Analyst Brian White says this growing trend is very likely to continue, especially after Apple launches the iPhone 8, and would continue going up until Cupertino eventually becomes the first one trillion-dollar company in the world. This means that Apple’s stock needs to reach $202 per share, the analyst says, and this is highly likely thanks to the major overhaul the iPhone is supposed to get.
"Similar to the bottoming process in Apple during the summer of 2013 that drove a strong rally into the spring of 2015, we believe the bottom in the stock during May 2016 and the upcoming iPhone cycle is setting up Apple to reach our $202.00 price target over the next 12 months," the analyst has been quoted as saying.
Apple has long been the most valuable company in the world, but rival Microsoft has also struggled to get closer, especially after Satya Nadella replaced Steve Ballmer at the helm of the company in 2013.
CEO Satya Nadella is trying to push Microsoft towards a strategy that’s mostly based on cloud, which has become one of the company’s top cash cows in the last couple of years. With the goal of boosting profits as much as possible, Microsoft has also tried to get rid of products that didn’t bring home the bacon, while also laying off thousands of people, mostly after the acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services unit, for a more streamlined business.
And yet, Microsoft is still very far behind its rival Apple. Today, Microsoft’s stock is priced at $69.46 per share, with an all-time high reached on June 6 when it was valued at $72.52 per share.