Apple Shares Jump 4.24% on $25.8B Volume Ranking Second as Tariff Exemption and $600B U.S. Investment Drive Momentum

Apple Inc. (AAPL) rose 4.24% on Thursday, with a trading volume of $25.88 billion, ranking second in the market. The stock’s movement follows a pivotal White House meeting where CEO Tim Cook announced an additional $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments, bringing the company’s total planned domestic spending to $600 billion over four years. The pledge, which includes partnerships for semiconductor production and AI infrastructure, coincided with President Trump’s exemption of Apple from a 100% tariff on foreign-made semiconductors. This policy shift has alleviated prior risks tied to the administration’s threats of steep tariffs on overseas manufacturing.

Analysts highlighted the strategic implications of the exemption. Bank of America raised its price target for AAPL to $250, citing potential market share gains as rivals face tariffs. Wedbush’s Dan Ives noted the move could reset Apple’s relationship with Trump after recent tensions over its global supply chain. The company’s efforts to localize production—such as new data centers in Kentucky and AI chip development with Broadcom—align with Trump’s economic agenda, reinforcing its appeal to U.S.-centric investors.

Despite year-to-date losses of over 12%, the tariff relief and domestic investment focus have driven momentum. Apple’s hybrid AI system, Apple Intelligence, and its collaboration with Broadcom on a custom server chip called Baltra underscore its push to control its AI ecosystem. These developments position the company to compete in the AI infrastructure race, though its valuation remains higher than historical averages. Earnings estimates have begun to rise in recent weeks, suggesting improving investor confidence.

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