New York, Feb 18, 2026, 10:18 EST — Regular session
- Apple shares ticked higher out of the gate, building on Tuesday’s rebound.
- Apple’s set for a March 4 “special Apple experience.” Traders are also eyeing a fresh report about AI-driven wearables linked to Siri.
- Traders are on alert for the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, set for release at 2 p.m. EST.
Apple Inc shares picked up 0.4% to $264.90 early Wednesday, holding their ground after bouncing sharply in the last session.
This is significant: Apple’s in the crosshairs of two colliding trades right now. On one hand, investors chase AI exposure; on the other, they’re demanding evidence that all the spending actually delivers. The big tech tape’s gotten choppy lately, and Apple keeps landing in the “safer” camp.
Ryuta Makino at Gabelli Funds calls Apple a “safe haven,” highlighting how the company’s capital expenditures stay modest next to competitors betting big on AI—where payoffs aren’t guaranteed. (TipRanks)
Apple just handed traders a date to watch: March 4, 9 a.m. ET in New York. That’s when the company plans its so-called “special Apple experience,” with simultaneous press events slated for London and Shanghai, per media invites. (The Verge)
Another jolt came as reports surfaced about Apple moving forward with AI-centric hardware outside its iPhone lineup. Bloomberg said the company is speeding up development on three new wearables: smart glasses, a so-called “AI pin” or pendant, and AirPods fitted with cameras. Each device is meant to leverage Siri and visual input to interpret a user’s environment. (Bloomberg)
Apple is pushing to recapture its edge as investors weigh AI’s potential—boon or bust, no one’s quite sure. U.S. stocks eked out small gains Tuesday after shaking off an early dip, with Apple and Nvidia nudging tech shares out of the red. “The market is looking very short-term,” said Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist at Ingalls & Snyder. (Reuters)
There was also new action from a major Apple backer. Berkshire Hathaway’s latest 13F, filed for the quarter, revealed roughly a 4% cut to its Apple position in the fourth quarter. Still, Apple stayed on top: Berkshire’s biggest equity bet, valued at $62 billion. (Reuters)
Apple’s services arm isn’t quiet, either. This spring, Apple Podcasts is rolling out new video features and upgraded tools for creators. Services boss Eddy Cue described the update as “a defining milestone” for podcasts on Apple’s platform. (Apple)
Apple’s move higher landed as a handful of other big tech names also saw some strength. Nvidia surged 2.3%. Microsoft and Alphabet each edged up less than 1%. Meta, on the other hand, edged lower.
The risk hasn’t gone anywhere. According to Investor’s Business Daily, which referenced Bloomberg, Apple’s “AI-infused” Siri isn’t arriving on schedule; certain features are now pushed to May. That slip could weigh on the shares if the March 4 update from Apple skimps on detail. (Investors)
Macro developments might hit as well, even with Apple out of the headlines. The Federal Reserve will release minutes from its January meeting at 2 p.m. EST. Traders are set to comb through them for any signals about how officials are thinking about rate cuts—a key mover for pricey tech names built on future profit projections. (Reuters)
Apple investors now turn to the annual meeting on Feb. 24, then circle March 4, when the company could shed more light on products, pricing, and its strategy for pushing its own spin on AI. (Apple)
