Shares in both Apple (AAPL) and Meta Platforms (META) are on the rise as both tech giants near antitrust settlements in the European Union. Per Financial Times, the two companies are in the final stages of reaching an agreement that would resolve the antitrust lawsuit EU and lead to changes in their EU business practices. Both Meta and Apple were fined a combined €700 million in April 2025 for breaching the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
While shares in Apple (AAPL) are up 8% in the last month, shares in META have fallen 4%. Despite a strong month of sales for its new lineup of iPhones, watches, and AirPods Pro, Apple Inc. (AAPL) has received a stock downgrade from Wall Street. Analysts at Jefferies warn that expectations surrounding how fast customers will upgrade their iPhones have become excessive, and have thus lowered their forecast. Meanwhile, TD Cowen kept its Buy rating on Meta Platforms stock and its $875 forecast, predicting growth to come following its Q3 earnings report at the end of October.
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For Apple, experts on Wall Street have differing forecasts from Jeffries. Analysts at Wedbush lifted their price target to $310 from $270 in an analyst note last week, writing that early demand for the recent launch means this is “turning into a real upgrade cycle” for the company after years of softer launches, “based on the early strong demand signs.” Currently trading at $257, the Wedbush forecast could come true by the end of October should earnings bode well based on the latest iPhone launch.
The upcoming earnings report wave has mixed expectations due to the up and down US economy. While tariffs remain a lingering threat for companies like Apple, Meta has succeeded in 2025. Should the EU antitrust settlement process, both stocks could climb higher just in time for earnings, where both Apple and Meta expect to outperform expectations.