Stocks soar after strong earnings driven by iPhone, but chips and AI are on the radar

The actions of Apple (AAPL) advance this Friday (1st), after the company released better-than-expected results in the second fiscal quarter, driven by the performance of the iPhone — although with signs of pressure on the horizon.

At around 11:20 am (Brasília time), shares rose more than 5% on the market. Nasdaq Composite.

The technology giant reported net profit of US$29.58 billion in the period, an increase of 19% year-on-year. Adjusted earnings per share came in at US$2.01, surpassing the US$1.97 projection compiled by FactSet.

Revenue totaled US$ 111.18 billion, an increase of 16% on an annual basis and also above market estimates, which pointed to US$ 109.45 billion. This is the biggest quarterly growth in more than four years.

The main driver continued to be the iPhone: sales of the device grew 21.7%, reaching close to US$57 billion, amid a still strong cycle of device replacement.

Despite the robust result, the company recognized limitations in the supply of advanced chips, which restricted even better performance. According to the financial director, Kevan Parekh, the shortage of components continues to be a relevant bottleneck.

Chips and AI begin to compete for space

Part of this pressure comes from the changing dynamics of the semiconductor industry. THE TSMCApple’s main supplier, has directed more production capacity to customers linked to artificial intelligence, such as Nvidia.

This movement reflects a broader trend in the sector: the global race for AI infrastructure is increasing demand for next-generation chips and could reconfigure priorities within the chain.

At the same time, the market is starting to look more closely at the financial impact of this dispute. Companies like Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Microsoft have already indicated a significant increase in investments, with combined capex expected to exceed US$600 billion in 2026.

China surprises positively

Another highlight of the quarter was the resumption of sales in China. After a period of weaker performance, Apple recorded 28% growth in iPhone sales in the country, signaling an improvement in local demand.

Transition in command

The result also marks the final stretch of Tim Cook. The company has already announced that John Ternus will assume the role of CEO from September 1st.