<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><p><strong>Apple Inc. </strong><span>AAPL</span> shares are on watch Friday as investors began to position ahead of the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings, which are now confirmed for release after the market closes on Thursday July 31.</p><p><strong>What To Know:</strong> The modest gain comes amid a broader focus on upcoming tech earnings, with Apple seen as a key indicator for consumer hardware demand and services revenue momentum.</p><p>JPMorgan called Apple's third-quarter setup ‘better than imagined’ on a near-term basis despite concerns over moderating iPhone demand and Services growth, with the firm anticipating ‘greater resilience and modest upsides’ relative to lowered expectations.</p><p>Investors will be watching closely for commentary on Apple’s AI roadmap, following reports that the company plans to roll out on-device AI features with iOS 18 and macOS later this year. Additional focus will be placed on services revenue trends, which have become a core part of Apple's business and an increasingly important offset to hardware cyclicality. </p><div><div><div><p>Trending Investment Opportunities</p></div></div></div><p>CEO <strong>Tim Cook </strong>has emphasized investments in AI and software, but so far Apple has offered fewer specifics than peers like Microsoft, Amazon or Alphabet.</p><p><strong>AAPL Price Action:</strong> Apple shares were flat at $213.90 at the time of writing, according to Benzinga Pro.</p><ul> <li><strong>Trump’s Rare Fed Visit Sparks Talks Of A $7 Trillion Problem</strong></li> </ul><p><em>Image Via Shutterstock.</em></p></div></div></div>

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<p>Apple Inc. shares are gaining ahead of its fiscal Q3 earnings release on July 31. Investors are optimistic, with JPMorgan noting a better-than-expected setup despite concerns over iPhone demand. Key focus areas include Apple's AI roadmap and services revenue trends, which are crucial for offsetting hardware cyclicality. CEO Tim Cook has highlighted AI and software investments, though details remain sparse compared to competitors. As of now, Apple shares are flat at $213.90.</p>

- Apple Inc. AAPL shares are being monitored as investors prepare for the fiscal third-quarter earnings release on July 31.  
- JPMorgan noted that Apple's third-quarter outlook is better than expected, despite concerns about iPhone demand and services growth.  
- Investors are particularly interested in updates on Apple's AI initiatives and services revenue trends, which are crucial for the company's performance.

Apple Shares Edge Higher Ahead Of Q3 Earnings Release