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Apple Shares Plunge After Earnings Miss on iPhone Sales

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, February 12th 2026 at 20:03 GMT by Investopedia
      Locales: California, New York, UNITED STATES

Cupertino, CA - February 13th, 2026 - Apple (AAPL) shares experienced a significant downturn in after-hours trading on Thursday, February 12th, 2026, falling over 5% following the release of its first-quarter 2026 earnings report. While the tech giant reported overall revenue and earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, a crucial miss in iPhone sales and a cautious forward-looking statement have sparked investor concerns, triggering a substantial sell-off.

Apple announced revenue of $123.0 billion for the quarter, a figure that surpassed the anticipated $119.7 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) also impressed, hitting $2.36 against expectations of $2.25. This paints a picture of relative financial health, but the market's reaction suggests a deeper story is unfolding. The core issue? iPhone sales. The company reported selling 55.7 million iPhones, significantly below the projected 60 million units. This shortfall immediately grabbed the attention of analysts and investors alike, overshadowing the positive aspects of the earnings report.

iPhone Dependence Remains Critical

The dip in iPhone sales highlights the continued, and arguably increasing, importance of Apple's flagship device to its overall financial performance. Despite Apple's efforts to diversify its revenue streams through services like Apple TV+, Apple Music, and iCloud, the iPhone still constitutes a substantial portion of the company's income. The market is clearly signaling that even modest underperformance in iPhone sales is enough to trigger a negative reaction, demonstrating a lack of confidence in the company's ability to fully decouple its success from this single product line. Experts suggest that saturation in key markets, coupled with longer upgrade cycles among consumers, may be contributing to the slowdown in iPhone demand. The success of recent iPhone models, while still significant, hasn't been enough to maintain the previous growth trajectory.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Global Economic Headwinds

Beyond the iPhone numbers, Apple's guidance for the next quarter proved equally unsettling. Executives pointed to ongoing supply chain disruptions, with particular emphasis on challenges in production within China. These disruptions, stemming from a combination of lingering pandemic-related issues and increasing geopolitical complexity, are hindering Apple's ability to meet demand. Adding to the concern is a weakening global economy, which is impacting consumer spending on discretionary items like smartphones and other tech gadgets. The combined effect of these factors led Apple to adopt a cautiously optimistic tone, warning of potential continued pressure on sales in the coming months.

China Risk Intensifies

The conversation surrounding Apple's reliance on China has reached a fever pitch. China serves as both a major manufacturing hub for Apple's products and a vital sales market. Recent escalations in geopolitical tensions between the United States and China have amplified investor anxieties. The potential for trade wars, tariffs, or even more severe disruptions to the supply chain poses a significant risk to Apple's profitability. Analysts are increasingly scrutinizing Apple's China strategy, questioning its long-term viability in the face of escalating political and economic uncertainties. Diversifying manufacturing away from China is proving to be a slow and expensive process, leaving Apple vulnerable in the short to medium term. The company has been exploring alternative manufacturing locations in countries like India and Vietnam, but scaling up production in these regions takes time and investment.

What Does This Mean for Investors?

The immediate impact is clear: a stock sell-off. However, the broader implications are more complex. The current situation forces investors to re-evaluate their expectations for Apple. The era of consistently high growth may be over, and the company will likely need to demonstrate its ability to adapt to a more challenging global landscape. The focus will be on Apple's ability to innovate beyond the iPhone, successfully expand its services business, and mitigate the risks associated with its reliance on China. Furthermore, investors will be closely watching how Apple addresses its supply chain vulnerabilities and navigates the evolving geopolitical landscape. This earnings report serves as a stark reminder that even the most successful companies are not immune to external pressures.