Business · Markets · 3 hrs ago
Apple gains as investors weigh tech firms’ cash flow and AI spending
Apple shares rose 1.5% as Alphabet’s fall after its results weighed on other technology stocks and Amazon faced pressure after disappointing earnings.
The companies are part of the Magnificent Seven, a group of major technology firms whose share prices have moved in different directions this year.
Apple has gained about 30% in 2026 so far, while Alphabet has fallen 10%.
Investors are focusing on free cash flow, the money a company has left after operating costs and investment.
Alphabet reported negative free cash flow of $9 billion in its third-quarter accounts, while Amazon reported net cash outflows of $42.4 billion over the 12 months to September.
Analysts expect Apple to generate $141 billion in positive cash flow over that period, and the company is due to report its annual results on November 2.
Alphabet and Amazon are investing heavily in data centres for AI, while Apple distributes apps through its devices, though rivals could eventually reach consumers directly.
Apple shares rose 1.5% on Wall Street as investors reacted to weaker results and cash-flow figures from other major technology companies.
Apple has gained about 30% in 2026 so far, while Alphabet has fallen 10%, according to Expansión.
Alphabet reported negative free cash flow of $9 billion in the third quarter, while Amazon reported net cash outflows of $42.4 billion over the 12 months to September.
Analysts expect Apple to have generated $141 billion in positive cash flow over the same 12-month period.
The article says Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft have invested in data centres for artificial intelligence, while Apple has focused on distributing applications through its devices.
- Who
- Apple and other large technology companies, including Alphabet and Amazon.
- What
- Apple shares gained as investors weighed technology companies’ cash flow and AI spending.
- When
- The article was published on October 30, 2026; Apple’s annual results were due on November 2.
- Where
- Wall Street.
- Why
- Investors distinguished between companies’ cash flow and spending on AI data centres. The article says Apple’s approach differs from that of companies investing heavily in those facilities.
Apple
Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft
Strategy
Apple
Apple has focused on distributing applications through its devices.
Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft
These companies have invested in data centres to develop artificial intelligence.
Risk
Apple
The article says users currently access the other companies’ services through the iPhone.
Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft
The article says these companies could eventually reach consumers directly.
Alphabet’s share price fell sharply after it reported results, according to the article.
Amazon reported net cash outflows of $42.4 billion.
Apple was due to report its annual results.
- Apple share gain
- 1.5% on Wall Street
- Apple gain in 2026
- About 30%
- Alphabet decline in 2026
- 10%
- Alphabet third-quarter free cash flow
- Negative $9 billion
- Amazon net cash outflows
- $42.4 billion in the 12 months to September
- Apple expected positive cash flow
- $141 billion in the 12 months to September