If Apple hits $350 a share it would sound like a statement that is not impossible, but it still requires investors to take a second look at the figures with skepticism. Despite that, history still points to the fact that those who have gone against Apple, it hasn’t been a kind experience for them.
Since the time when Berkshire Hathaway bought into the company in 2016, the investment has made a staggering fortune for the investors, solidifying it as one of Warren Buffett’s smartest modern-era decisions.
Apple, even with a magnificent $3.8 trillion market cap, has been a constant reminder that big companies can grow fast. The big question in 2026 is whether Apple will be able to maintain the existing momentum, and have the courage to take the next giant step.
Big Gains
A prediction of $350 by the end of 2026 implies that Apple stock price should increase by around 35% from the current one, which is approximately $260. It might seem a bit fancy, but if we look at Apple’s performance over a long term, we see that the claim is not as outrageous as it might seem at first.
The stock returns were 34% in 2021, 48% in 2023, and 30% in 2024, which would be numbers to boast about for decades to come.
Apple stocks have more than multiplied their value over the last ten years, where its price went up 942% higher, and this is parallel to a yearly compound rate of 26.4%, which is far better than the overall market performance.
On top of that, Apple shares are being traded at about 9% lower than their highest-ever levels, which adds more weight to the bullish argument that a simple change in traders’ mood could bring short-term gains.
World-Class Business with a Premium Price Tag
There is no real argument against the quality of Apple. The firm’s reputation is supreme, its customers can hardly leave the ecosystem, and it is still selling high-quality hardware at premium prices. Apple’s hardware, software, and services have been so interwoven with each other that one cannot tell when actually upgrading has become a regular thing.
Also, the company during this period showed its strength in the numbers quite clearly. Apple has for the last five years maintained its quarterly gross margins at an average of 30.6%, and net income at a remarkable $112 billion in the year 2025.
The company’s persistent cash flow is used for paying out dividends and for buying up shares aggressively, which not openly but still supports the stock. However, its downside is the valuation.
With a P/E ratio of 34.7, Apple shares are priced way above their 10 year average (24.6), hence it will be less forgiving of any errors if the growth slows down or the market gets upset.
Catalysts That Could Push the Stock Higher
Apple should not only rely on brand loyalty and buybacks, but should do more to justify a run towards $350. A very close monitoring of iPhone sales will be made by the investors, as the indication of any sort of revival in momentum here could turn the story around in no time. The good news is that iPhone revenues were up 6% on an annual basis in fiscal year 2025 fourth quarter, and the management has given a forecast of double-digit growth for the first quarter of 2026.
Another factor that might push the stock price high is the increased ambition and focus on AI from Apple. Also, the partnership that was just announced between Apple and Alphabet to fuse Gemini AI models into Apple’s Intelligence could also turn new devices to be more interesting, and can speed up the upgrade cycles. If the AI-driven feature could really stimulate customers’ interest in Apple’s hardware, it will ultimately create considerable demand, and the stock could receive a fresh momentum.
Bottom Line
Apple will continue to be one of the most powerful companies worldwide and its future is still bright. But to see its stock price reach $350 by the end of 2026, might be an overestimation, considering the company’s size and current high valuation.
It is possible that steady revenue growth, AI improvements, and share buyback could lead to higher prices, but the likelihood of a full 35% rally in such a short period is less than 50%. For investors, Apple seems to be a high-quality strong business rather than a speculative investment. That is to say, it may not run like a racing car, but it remains one of the most dependable engines in the market.
