Apple seeks new chip supplier, shares rebuild after AI memory squeeze

By Stefan Krueger, Long-Term & Business Model desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-27, 13:16.

Apple Inc. (US0378331005) is again in focus on the NASDAQ. The stock is rebuilding from an AI-driven memory cost shock as the group explores buying NAND and DRAM chips from a sanctioned Chinese supplier, according to the Financial Times.

What FT and analysts report

The Financial Times reports that Apple has discussed sourcing memory chips from Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC), a Chinese producer that appears on a US trade blacklist, for future iPhones and Macs. The talks highlight how tight global NAND and DRAM capacity has become as AI servers consume more high-end memory.

TradingKey describes how the recent AI memory squeeze pushed up DRAM and NAND prices, forcing Apple to raise Mac and iPad prices to protect margins. The report notes that the memory crisis has benefitted specialist suppliers such as Micron while pressuring device makers like Apple to secure alternative supply lines and reconsider product pricing.

How the Apple shares reacted this week

According to TradingKey, Apple shares closed down 6.12 percent on June 25 at 275.15 dollars after intraday lows of 273.75 dollars, when the company’s hardware price hikes triggered a reassessment of demand and pricing power. The same source now shows the stock around 283.78 dollars, implying a rebound of just over 3 percent from that Thursday close.

Fidelity International quotes Apple at 282.59 dollars, up 8.63 dollars or 3.14 percent, with prices updated on June 27, 2026 at 00:59 Eastern time. Against the 52-week high of 317.40 dollars reached on June 8, 2026, the Financial Times data indicates that the shares still trade roughly 10.6 percent below that peak.

The business and products behind the stock

Apple’s core business remains premium consumer electronics and related services. Flagship hardware includes the iPhone smartphone line, Mac computers and iPad tablets, each increasingly built around high-end NAND and DRAM memory to support photography, gaming and AI-enabled features.

Where the Apple shares trade today

Apple shares (US0378331005) trade on NASDAQ and recently stood around 282.59 dollars as of June 27, 2026, 00:59 Eastern time, based on Fidelity International data.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Figures and dates are based on sources cited and may change with new information.