Apple reaches new peak: Growth thanks to smart innovations

Apple's shares reached their highest level in 52 weeks on Tuesday, trading at $248.21, and closed at an all-time high of $247.77. This impressive performance is primarily attributed to the launch of Apple Intelligence, an advanced personal intelligence system seamlessly integrated into iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. Apple's services segment is proving to be a cornerstone of its success. The company now has over one billion paying subscribers, doubling in just four years. Services like Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, as well as a growing user base for Apple Pay, significantly contribute to this growth. Apple Intelligence is designed to enhance user experience and productivity while prioritizing privacy on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Since its launch in late October, Apple's stock has increased by 6.2%, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which rose by 4.5%. In the race for artificial intelligence, Apple is catching up with competitors such as Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon. With the announced further development of Apple Intelligence in upcoming iOS, iPadOS, and macOS versions, Apple plans to expand additional features and regional language support, which is expected to further strengthen its competitiveness. The services segment, now a key growth driver alongside the iPhone, reported a 12% increase in revenue in the fourth fiscal quarter of last year to $24.97 billion, accounting for 26.3% of total revenue. The rising demand for Apple TV+ content and the adoption of Apple Pay, which was recently launched in additional markets, are further invigorating the business segment.