Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; Mac, a line of personal computers; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and wearables, home, and accessories comprising AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, and HomePod. It also provides AppleCare support and cloud services; and operates various platforms, including the App Store that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games, and podcasts. In addition, the company offers various services, such as Apple Arcade, a game subscription service; Apple Fitness+, a personalized fitness service; Apple Music, which offers users a curated listening experience with on-demand radio stations; Apple News+, a subscription news and magazine service; Apple TV+, which offers exclusive original content; Apple Card, a co-branded credit card; and Apple Pay, a cashless payment service, as well as licenses its intellectual property. The company serves consumers, and small and mid-sized businesses; and the education, enterprise, and government markets. It distributes third-party applications for its products through the App Store. The company also sells its products through its retail and online stores, and direct sales force; and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and resellers. Apple Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Inc. демонстрирует сильные финансовые показатели, включая высокие значения ROE и ROA, что указывает на эффективное управление капиталом и высокую рентабельность. Выручка и чистая прибыль значительно превышают медианные значения по отрасли, что подтверждает устойчивый рост. Однако, компания сталкивается с высокими мультипликаторами, такими как P/S и P/B, которые указывают на возможную переоцененность акций. Долговая нагрузка также выше медианной, что создает дополнительные риски в финансовом плане. Снижение текущего и быстрого коэффициентов говорит о необходимости улучшения ликвидности. Дивидендная доходность остается на уровне 0.09, что относительно низко, но стабильность выплат поддерживает интерес к акциям. В целом, несмотря на высокие показатели доходности и роста, финансовые риски и переоцененность акций требуют осторожности в оценке текущей цены. Устойчивый рост основных показателей также создает позитивный фон для будущих инвестиций.

Apple Inc.

The NASDAQ 100 After Hours Indicator is down -46.83 to 27,140.15. The total After hours volume is currently 123,882,886 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the after hours session:
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is -0.2499 at $209.01, with 4,952,801 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NVDA is in the "buy range".
Walmart Inc. (WMT) is -0.02 at $127.99, with 4,930,628 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for WMT is in the "buy range".
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is unchanged at $270.17, with 4,189,325 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 4 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Mar 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $1.92. AAPL is scheduled to provide an earnings report on 4/30/2026, for the fiscal quarter ending Mar2026. The consensus earnings per share forecast is 1.92 per share, which represents a 165 percent increase over the EPS one Year Ago
Pfizer, Inc. (PFE) is +0.0226 at $26.28, with 4,143,914 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.68. PFE is scheduled to provide an earnings report on 5/5/2026, for the fiscal quarter ending Mar2026. The consensus earnings per share forecast is 0.74 per share, which represents a 92 percent increase over the EPS one Year Ago
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is -0.6123 at $262.43, with 3,998,635 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Sep 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $1.96. Smarter Analyst Reports: Amazon Expects FTC’s Verdict on MGM Acquisition by Mid-March: Report
Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) is unchanged at $81.51, with 3,658,956 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 4 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $1.85. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for WFC is in the "buy range".
Intel Corporation (INTC) is -0.08 at $94.67, with 3,513,061 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 10 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Jun 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.1. , following a 52-week high recorded in today's regular session.
Nokia Corporation (NOK) is +0.02 at $12.48, with 3,203,503 shares traded., following a 52-week high recorded in today's regular session.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) is +0.07 at $10.32, with 2,939,365 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Sep 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.08. CLF's current last sale is 103.2% of the target price of $10.
EchoStar Corporation (SATS) is unchanged at $119.78, with 2,741,098 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for SATS is in the "buy range".
Coca-Cola Company (The) (KO) is unchanged at $78.87, with 2,565,312 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for KO is in the "buy range".
VICI Properties Inc. (VICI) is +0.12 at $28.72, with 2,233,899 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for VICI is in the "buy range".
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

After Hours Most Active for Apr 29, 2026 : NVDA, WMT, AAPL, PFE, AMZN, WFC, INTC, NOK, CLF, SATS, KO, VICI

Looking at options trading activity among components of the Russell 3000 index, there is noteworthy activity today in Apple Inc (Symbol: AAPL), where a total volume of 667,117 contracts has been traded thus far today, a contract volume which is representative of approximately 66.7 million underlying shares (given that every 1 contract represents 100 underlying shares). That number works out to 159.8% of AAPL's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 41.8 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $270 strike call option expiring April 29, 2026, with 122,791 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 12.3 million underlying shares of AAPL. Below is a chart showing AAPL's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $270 strike highlighted in orange:
NVIDIA Corp (Symbol: NVDA) saw options trading volume of 2.4 million contracts, representing approximately 237.4 million underlying shares or approximately 158% of NVDA's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 150.3 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $212.50 strike call option expiring April 29, 2026, with 211,249 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 21.1 million underlying shares of NVDA. Below is a chart showing NVDA's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $212.50 strike highlighted in orange:
And Viasat Inc (Symbol: VSAT) saw options trading volume of 23,077 contracts, representing approximately 2.3 million underlying shares or approximately 149% of VSAT's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 1.5 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $40 strike put option expiring September 18, 2026, with 7,601 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 760,100 underlying shares of VSAT. Below is a chart showing VSAT's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $40 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for AAPL options, NVDA options, or VSAT options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Also see:
Preferred Stock Investing
GEVO Options Chain
Largest BDCs by Net Assets
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable Wednesday Option Activity: AAPL, NVDA, VSAT

Apple AAPL continues to benefit from the strength of its Services segment, supported by growing traction in streaming content and an expanding Apple Arcade gaming portfolio. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Services contributed 20.9% of total net sales, with revenues rising 14% year over year to $30.01 billion.
Apple TV+ has been a key growth driver. The platform saw viewership jump 36% year over year in December, fueled by the success of titles like Pluribus. Momentum is expected to continue with a strong upcoming lineup, including Cape Fear from Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, along with the fourth season of Ted Lasso. Apple is also deepening its push into sports content. All Major League Soccer (MLS) matches are now available to Apple TV+ subscribers at no extra cost. Additionally, Apple TV+ has secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for Formula 1 starting in 2026 under a five-year deal. The return of “Friday Night Baseball,” a weekly MLB doubleheader, further strengthens its live sports offering.
On the gaming side, Apple is steadily enhancing Apple Arcade to boost user engagement. The service now offers more than 200 family-friendly games, with recent additions such as DREDGE+, Unpacking+, and My Very Hungry Caterpillar+. Expanding on this momentum, Apple has announced that Nick Jr. Replay will launch on Apple Arcade on May 7, delivering a curated collection of popular kids’ content and interactive experiences, reinforcing Apple’s focus on family-friendly entertainment.
Apple’s installed base — now exceeding 2.5 billion active devices — continues to provide a solid foundation for Services expansion. Customer engagement remains strong, with both transacting and paid accounts hitting all-time highs in the fiscal first quarter. Apple expects second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues to grow between 13% and 16% year over year. Services revenues are projected to grow at a pace similar to that seen in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate currently forecasts that Services is pegged at $30.39 billion, implying 14.1% year-over-year growth.
Apple’s Faces Stiff Competition
AAPL is facing stiff competition from the likes of Amazon AMZN and Microsoft MSFT in domains like streaming and gaming.
Amazon offers Prime Video bundled with its Amazon Prime membership. The service offers both ad-supported and ad-free options. In comparison to Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video has a much larger content portfolio, including originals. Microsoft’s gaming assets include Xbox and Activision Blizzard, and it is investing heavily in gaming studios and subscriptions.
AAPL’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Apple shares have dropped 0.4% year to date, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 9.1%.
Apple Stock’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The AAPL stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month price/earnings of 30.15X compared with the broader sector’s 25.56X. AAPL has a Value Score of F.
AAPL Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $8.52 per share, up 1.1% over the past 30 days, suggesting 14.2% year-over-year growth.
Apple Inc. Price and Consensus
Apple currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
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Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

AAPL's Services Growth Rides on Strong Content & Games: What's Ahead?

Key Points
Berkshire’s final big stock purchase under Buffett was Alphabet.
Alphabet is one of the few companies that can own and monetize AI globally.
Many investors followed Warren Buffett's stock purchases for Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) for fresh investing ideas. Many of its top holdings -- including Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola -- have been reliable long-term winners that easily withstood recessions and other macro headwinds.
Before stepping down as Berkshire's CEO at the end of 2025, Buffett approved one final major new investment for that portfolio: Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL). That investment was surprising because Buffett had avoided tech stocks for most of his career; he sold many of Berkshire's other top holdings in 2025, and Alphabet still faces macro and regulatory headwinds. However, I also believe it's a compelling long-term buy for one simple reason: AI.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Why is Alphabet the ultimate AI stock?
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is one of the few companies that can both own and monetize AI at a global scale. By comparison, many AI companies have promising AI tech but lack clear distribution and monetization strategies. Others have massive distribution capabilities, but they're dependent on the AI algorithms and infrastructure of other companies.
Google doesn't have either problem. It's already a full-stack AI infrastructure company that produces its own chips (TPUs), large language model (Gemini), a cloud platform, and other apps. Its massive ecosystem -- including Google Search, YouTube, Android, and Chrome -- enables it to instantly distribute its new AI features to billions of users worldwide.
Therefore, AI isn't an existential threat to Google's core businesses. Instead, AI refines its search results, improves its targeted ads, and connects more businesses to its cloud infrastructure platform. It's also firmly profitable and generates most of its revenue from its higher-margin advertising business, so it can easily afford to expand its more capital-intensive cloud and AI features. Those strengths give it a much stronger foundation than other AI companies, and should make it a reliable stock to buy and hold as the market expands.
Why would Buffett consider Alphabet a worthy investment?
Berkshire purchased 17.8 million shares of Alphabet in the third quarter of 2025, when the stock had an average closing price of $209.06 per share. Today, the stock trades at more than $350.
From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect Alphabet's revenue and EPS to grow at CAGRs of 16% and 13%, respectively, as the cloud and AI boom continues. Its stock still looks reasonably valued at 26 times next year's earnings.
While Buffett hasn't publicly commented on Alphabet after Berkshire's big purchase, the tech giant's robust growth, wide moat, and attractive valuation make it comparable to many of the conglomerate's other top holdings. Therefore, it's still a great stock to buy and never sell.
Should you buy stock in Alphabet right now?
Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $497,606!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,306,846!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 29, 2026.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Leo Sun has positions in Apple and Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, American Express, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

1 Reason I'd Buy Buffett's Final Favorite Stock And Never Sell

Apple’s AAPL second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, to be reported on April 30, are expected to benefit from strong iPhone 17 sales. The device accounted for 59.3% of net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, wherein sales jumped 23.3% year over year to $85.27 billion.
Per Counterpoint’s Q1’26 data, Apple led the smartphone market with 21% share and shipments increased 5% year over year, driven by strong iPhone 17 demand, proactive supply chain management and improved performance in China.
In March, Apple launched iPhone 17e, its more affordable device, starting at $599. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter iPhone sales is pegged at $56.706 billion, suggesting roughly 21.1% year-over-year growth.
Click here to learn how Apple’s overall fiscal second-quarter earnings results are likely to be.
Apple Inc. Revenue (TTM)
Apple to Post Modest Y/Y Mac Sales Growth
The PC segment climbed up 4% in the first quarter of calendar 2026, according to Gartner, while per IDC the growth was far more modest at 2.5%. Per IDC, Apple had a market share of 9.5%, up 40 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis. Shipment grew 9.1% year over year to 6.2 million. Per Gartner, Apple had a market share of 10.6%, up 80 bps year over year, while shipments grew 12.7% year over year to 6.68 million.
In terms of shipments, Apple outperformed Dell Technologies’ DELL and Lenovo’s LNVGY growth of 9.5% and 7.6%, respectively, per Gartner data. HP’s HPQ shipment declined 4.9%. According to IDC’s list, ASUS shipment growth was 17.1%, trailed by Apple’s 9.1%, Lenovo’s 8.6% and Dell Technologies’ 7.7% growth. HP’s shipment declined 4.9%.
In March, Apple launched the new MacBook Air with M5 support and the new MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max. The company also launched MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop ever, with a starting price of $599.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter Mac net sales is pegged at $8.18 billion, suggesting 3% year-over-year growth.
Apple’s iPad Sales to Increase Y/Y
iPad accounted for roughly 6% of fiscal first-quarter net sales. iPad revenues are expected to have benefited from improving demand for iPad Pro that Apple launched in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. In March, Apple launched the iPad Air, powered by M4.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter iPad net sales is pegged at $6.634 billion, suggesting a 3.6% year-over-year increase.
Zacks Rank
Apple currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
See them now >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Apple's Q2 Earnings: Strong iPhone 17 Shipment to Aid Top-Line Growth

Key Points
Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio remains heavily concentrated in Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola.
All three are wonderful businesses that generate predictable cash flow.
However, each brings something different to the table for Berkshire.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) is now nearly four months into the Greg Abel era. It shouldn't be surprising that it still feels quite similar to the Warren Buffett era -- and not just because the legendary investor still comes into the office every day.
The philosophy that Buffett instilled for decades continues to guide Berkshire Hathaway under Abel's leadership. That's why more than 50% of the conglomerate's portfolio remains invested in three "forever" stocks that Buffett loves: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), American Express (NYSE: AXP), and The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO).
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Wonderful businesses
What are the common denominators shared by Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola? They're all what Buffett would call "wonderful businesses." In his 2023 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, he used the phrase "wonderful businesses" in a discussion of Amex and Coca-Cola. Buffett has also called Apple "probably the best business I know in the world."
But what makes these three companies so wonderful? Three qualities stand out, in my opinion.
Most importantly for Abel and Buffett, Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola generate predictable cash flows. If I could point to a single reason why these three stocks make up over half of Berkshire's portfolio, this would be it.
Second, these three companies boast dominant brands. Apple has ranked among the world's most valuable brands for several years. Amex topped J.D. Power's Small Business Credit Card Satisfaction Study for five consecutive years, a testament to its brand strength. Coca-Cola has consistently placed among the world's most well-known and valuable brands.
Third, they all have strong pricing power stemming from their customer relationships. Apple has a phenomenally loyal customer base. American Express caters largely to affluent customers who can afford to pay higher prices. Coca-Cola's beverages are woven into the lives of many consumers. Buffett famously said several years ago that he drank five cans of Coke each day. It's not known if Abel is as much of a Coca-Cola connoisseur as the "Oracle of Omaha," but many people across the world are.
These qualities are especially important when inflation is a concern and economic uncertainty prevails. That's the environment in which Abel has received the baton from Buffett. He wants inflation-resilient investments in Berkshire's portfolio. Apple, Amex, and Coca-Cola fit the bill.
Different angles with these forever stocks
While Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola share some things in common, there are different angles with these forever stocks that likely appeal to both Abel and Buffett.
Apple remains Berkshire's largest holding despite significant trimming over the last couple of years. Buffett acknowledged in an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick in March 2026, "I sold it too soon." He still believes that Apple is better than any of the businesses that Berkshire owns. However, Buffett added, "I was not happy to have it be as large as almost everything else combined."
The key thing that Apple brings to the table is its remarkable ecosystem. Consumers love the company's devices. Apple leverages this strength by offering services and ancillary products that further lock in customers.
American Express is Berkshire's largest equity holding in the financial sector. In his 2023 shareholder letter, Buffett mentioned "the need for unquestioned financial trust" as one of the "timeless essentials of our world."
Interestingly, he also described the consumption of Coca-Cola's beverages as one of those timeless essentials. Coca-Cola is Berkshire's longest-held position. It pays attractive dividends that continue to grow: Coca-Cola is a member of the Dividend Kings, an elite group of stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Coke's streak of dividend hikes is now 64 years in a row.
Some things don't change
Although Buffett initiated the investments in Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola, Abel seems just as committed to the three stocks. He wrote in his first letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders that they are "businesses we understand well, have a high regard for their leaders, and expect will compound over decades."
Abel told shareholders to expect Berkshire's concentrated positions to continue. He said that there will be "limited activity in these holdings, though we may significantly adjust a holding if we see fundamental changes in its long term economic prospects."
Buffett's investment approach remains front and center at Berkshire Hathaway, with Abel at the helm. This continuity, exemplified by the large holdings in Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola, should reassure Berkshire's shareholders.
Should you buy stock in Apple right now?
Before you buy stock in Apple, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Apple wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $492,752!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,327,935!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 991% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 201% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 29, 2026.
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Keith Speights has positions in Apple and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends American Express, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Greg Abel Has Over 50% of Berkshire Hathaway's Stock Portfolio Invested in 3 Forever Stocks

Key Points
Spotify is gaining both free users and paid subscribers.
Growth-related spending should fuel further expansion, but at a cost.
Shares of Spotify Technology (NYSE: SPOT) fell on Tuesday after the audio streaming platform issued a tepid profit forecast.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Steady user and subscriber growth
Spotify's monthly active users (MAUs) increased 12% year over year to 761 million in the first quarter. The gains came even as the streaming marketplace grew increasingly crowded. Spotify competes with well-heeled rivals like Amazon, Apple, and Alphabet's YouTube.
"We surpassed 760 million MAU, delivered on the subscriber growth we aimed to achieve, and saw healthy engagement from existing users, reactivations, and new users alike," Co-CEO Alex Norström said in a press release.
The Swedish audio technology company's premium subscribers -- who pay for ad-free music, better sound quality, and other features -- rose by a more modest 9% to 293 million. Spotify raised subscription prices in the U.S. in February, which may have discouraged some free users from upgrading.
All told, Spotify's total revenue grew by 8%, or 14% excluding currency fluctuations, to 4.5 billion euros ($5.3 billion).
Spotify's price hikes helped to drive its gross margin higher by 1.3 percentage points to 33%. Its operating income, in turn, jumped 40% to 715 million euros ($838 million).
A lackluster forecast
However, investors appeared to focus more on Spotify's guidance. Management guided for operating income of 630 million euros in the second quarter, due in part to higher spending on marketing and new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features. Wall Street had expected second-quarter operating income of nearly 680 million euros.
Still, looking further ahead, Co-CEO Gustav Söderström believes these investments will bear fruit for the company, its users, and its shareholders.
"We see significant room to grow across users, formats, and engagement, and to expand what Spotify is and can become over time," Söderström said.
Should you buy stock in Spotify Technology right now?
Before you buy stock in Spotify Technology, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Spotify Technology wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $492,752!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,327,935!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 991% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 201% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2026.
Joe Tenebruso has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, and Spotify Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Spotify Stock Dropped Today

Key Points
Apple generates consistently higher total revenue, though Microsoft demonstrates a smoother upward trajectory.
Apple exhibits recurring quarter-over-quarter volatility, whereas Microsoft shows steady, incremental growth.
Investors should watch whether the revenue gap between the two companies widens during seasonal peaks or narrows during quieter periods.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is a far bigger business than Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), but that may not make it the better investment.
Apple’s quarterly revenue is far ahead of Microsoft’s, but it’s not the size of these companies that will dictate future returns. It’s how fast they are growing and what that says about their addressable market.
Microsoft: Delivering Consistent Revenue Growth
Microsoft develops, licenses, and supports software, cloud services, and devices worldwide. It recently reported strong fiscal second-quarter results and amended its hosting agreement with OpenAI. It reported net income of $38.5 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025.
Apple: Managing Recurring Revenue Cycles
Apple designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and related services globally.
It announced an expansion of its hardware manufacturing operations in Texas and posted $42 billion in net income for the quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025.
Why Revenue Matters for Retail Investors
Revenue is the most fundamental metric to measure a company’s performance over time. Change over time indicates how easily a company can market its products and expand operations without meeting much resistance from competitors or a limited growth ceiling.
Quarterly Revenue for Microsoft and Apple
Quarter (Period End)
Microsoft Revenue
Apple Revenue
Q1 2024
$61.9 billion (period ended March 2024)
$90.8 billion (period ended March 2024)
Q2 2024
$64.7 billion (period ended June 2024)
$85.8 billion (period ended June 2024)
Q3 2024
$65.6 billion (period ended Sept. 2024)
$94.9 billion (period ended Sept. 2024)
Q4 2024
$69.6 billion (period ended Dec. 2024)
$124.3 billion (period ended Dec. 2024)
Q1 2025
$70.1 billion (period ended March 2025)
$95.4 billion (period ended March 2025)
Q2 2025
$76.4 billion (period ended June 2025)
$94.0 billion (period ended June 2025)
Q3 2025
$77.7 billion (period ended Sept. 2025)
$102.5 billion (period ended Sept. 2025)
Q4 2025
$81.3 billion (period ended Dec. 2025)
$143.8 billion (period ended Dec. 2025)
Data source: Company filings. Data as of April 28, 2026.
Foolish Take
Microsoft and Apple are competitors, but their financial results show they are fundamentally different businesses. Microsoft is focused on selling cloud and software products, while Apple primarily wants to put devices in people’s hands.
Microsoft’s trailing-12-month revenue has increased 44% over the last three years. The Microsoft Azure enterprise platform is riding strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services. Total cloud revenue grew 26% year over year last quarter to $51 billion, with Azure revenue alone up 39%.
Meanwhile, Apple has increased its trailing-12-month revenue by about 13% over the last three years. iPhone revenue grew just 6% year over year last quarter — its biggest source of revenue. Apple is relying more on its customers’ spending on extra services to pad its top- and bottom-line growth.
Investors will want to watch if Microsoft continues to grow faster and closes the gap with Apple. If it does, that could lead its stock to marginally outperform Apple’s from here.
Should you buy stock in Microsoft right now?
Before you buy stock in Microsoft, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Microsoft wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $492,752!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,327,935!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 991% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 201% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2026.
John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Microsoft vs. Apple: Comparing Trajectories in Revenue

Apple's CEOs, Intel & AI, and Another SaaSpocalype

Key Points
Nvidia stock, after a first quarter in the doldrums, has been on fire in recent weeks.
The company is a proven AI leader, dominating the AI chip market.
Over the past few years, investors recognized the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks to supercharge their portfolios. There are many players to choose from, but one stock in particular emerged as a surefire winner, and that's Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).
The company, as the AI chip leader, already was generating explosive earnings growth -- and set out a clear plan for lasting success. So it's no surprise that investors rushed to get in on this stock, driving it to a gain of nearly 700% over three years.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
The path was rather smooth until the past few months, when concerns about the AI revenue story shook investor confidence, and the war in Iran added to the uncertainty. As a result, Nvidia and many other AI players slipped in the first few months of the year.
But the month of April has proven to be a turning point for this AI leader. Investors, reassured about the long-term AI story, returned to AI stocks, and a ceasefire in Iran offered hope that the turmoil there may soon be over. Against this backdrop, Nvidia reached a record high on Friday and then another on Monday. After such gains, is it too late to buy this hot AI stock? Let's find out.
Nvidia's momentum is back
After a few months in the doldrums, Nvidia's momentum has returned. The stock not only hit two record highs on two consecutive trading days, but it also reached a valuation no other has ever reached: On Monday, the company closed with a market capitalization of more than $5.2 trillion.
This sets it well ahead of tech giants Apple and Microsoft, which each have held the title of world's largest company in recent years. And in recent days, Alphabet has actually emerged as Nvidia's biggest rival when it comes to market cap.
So, first, let's consider how Nvidia's rebound unfolded. As mentioned, investors went from piling into AI stocks over a number of years to avoiding them early this year. As the valuations of these players reached high levels and companies spent billions of dollars to ramp up AI infrastructure, investors became more and more concerned about the long-term story: What if tech giants overspend and then can't monetize all of that capacity? This would make current valuations clearly unsustainable.
Meanwhile, the general geopolitical situation pushed investors toward stocks seen as safer bets, such as pharmaceutical players -- people always need their treatments, ensuring a certain level of revenue stability for these companies.
The valuations of AI stocks
But as the U.S. and Iran moved toward negotiations and as AI companies offered solid proof of sustained demand, investors began to reconsider AI stocks. And due to the declines we saw earlier in the year, something key happened: Valuations also fell -- and many AI stocks offered investors interesting buying opportunities.
All of these elements supported the idea of returning to Nvidia stock, and that's exactly what many investors have done lately.
Now, let's return to our question: After this major rally, is it too late to buy Nvidia stock? Before answering, it's important to consider the company's long-term growth prospects and today's valuation.
Nvidia dominates the AI chip market right now, but it faces increasing competition. This isn't only from well-known chip players like Advanced Micro Devices, but also up-and-coming names like Cerebras -- a company aiming to launch an IPO this year -- and even some of Nvidia's customers, such as Amazon. Amazon has developed its own line of chips, and they've proven to be so popular that the company even considers launching a chip unit.
The best AI chips around
It's important to note, though, that needs for compute are so high -- and may even grow as more companies decide to pursue AI -- that there is room for several players. It's also key to remember that Nvidia's chips are the most powerful and the company focuses on innovation. So there's reason to believe Nvidia may continue to offer the best chips around -- tech giants, who aim to succeed in AI, are very likely to rely on Nvidia for a great deal of their projects.
And Nvidia isn't just a chip specialist. The company has designed complete systems as well as platforms for specific industries such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and telecom. The company is thinking ahead, too, building tools to combine AI and quantum computing, for example.
All of this suggests that Nvidia's revenue opportunity remains extremely strong. This supports the idea of owning Nvidia stock for the long term, but here's what supports the idea of actually buying shares right now: Even after recent gains, Nvidia stock remains reasonably priced, at 25x forward earnings estimates -- down from more than 40x earlier this year. So I have some great news for investors: It's not too late to buy this hot AI stock, one that has what it takes to score many more AI wins over time.
Should you buy stock in Nvidia right now?
Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $492,752!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,327,935!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 991% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 201% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2026.
Adria Cimino has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Apple Inc.

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