|

Apple (AAPL) tags five-year parallel channel high, top likely in

Shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) have rallied even as the broader markets have stumbled. We are seeing clear rotation into the iPhone maker as a defensive play, aided by traction in the latest upgrade cycle. AAPL now sits at a staggering $4.18 trillion market cap.

But whatever reasons the mainstream media gives for the rally, a technical trader purely looks at the charts. And the charts are saying this run is over. In fact, Apple is likely marking a major cycle high right here.

The key feature is a massive parallel channel stretching back to the March 2020 Covid lows. The lower trendline connects perfectly through Covid lows in March 2020, the bear market low in 2022 and the "Liberation Day" tariff collapse in April 2025. The upper parallel trendline aligns precisely with the 2021 bull market high and the December 2024 highs.

The recent surge in AAPL has now tagged this upper trendline again.

Note that a parallel channel is far more significant than a single trendline. The existence of the second, parallel line (the lower boundary) confirms the pattern's validity and increases its predictive power. Hitting the top of this channel signals a high-probability rejection.

Look for a pullback in the near term. Furthermore, 2026 could see a decline all the way back to the lower end of the parallel channel, currently sitting at $210. Apple is a strong short off this $283 resistance level.

Chart

Author

Gareth Soloway

Gareth Soloway

Verified Investing

A renowned trader and financial expert specializing in chart analysis and market insights.

More from Gareth Soloway
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD remains below 1.1750 ahead of ECB policy decision

EUR/USD remains on the back foot below 1.1750 in the European session on Thursday. Traders move to the sidelines and refrain from placing any fresh directional bets on the pair ahead of the ECB policy announcements and the US CPI inflation data. 

GBP/USD stays defensive below 1.3400, awaits BoE and US CPI

GBP/USD oscillates in a narrow band below 1.3400 in European trading on Thursday. The pair trades with caution as markets eagerly await the BoE policy verdict and US consumer inflation data for fresh directional impetus. 

Gold holds losses below $4,350 ahead of US CPI report

Gold struggles to capitalize on the previous day's move higher and holds its pullback below $4,350 in the European session on Thursday. The downtick could be attributed to some profit-taking amid a US Dollar bounce. All eyes now remain on the US CPI inflation data. 

BoE set to resume easing cycle, trimming interest rate to 3.75%

The Bank of England will announce its last monetary policy decision of 2025 on Thursday at 12:00 GMT. The market prices a 25-basis-point rate cut, which would leave the BoE’s Bank Rate at 3.75%.

US CPI data expected to show inflation rose slightly to 3.1%, cooling Fed rate cut bets for January

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish the all-important Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for November on Thursday at 13:30 GMT. The CPI inflation in the US is expected to rise at an annual rate of 3.1% in November

Dogecoin Price Forecast: DOGE breaks key support amid declining investor confidence

Dogecoin (DOGE) trades in the red on Thursday, following a 4% decline on the previous day. The DOGE supply in profit declines as large wallet investors trim their portfolios. Derivatives data shows a surge in bearish positions amid declining retail interest.