Apple to Report Q1 Earnings After Peers Reveal $115B-$200B AI Budgets
Apple will release its Q1 results on Thursday, with investors eyeing revenue growth, profit margins and AI capital expenditure plans after peers outlined budgets ranging from $115 billion to $200 billion. The Nasdaq-Bitcoin correlation climbed to 0.75 in January, suggesting Apple’s earnings surprise could amplify market moves.
1. Q1 Earnings Preview
Apple is scheduled to report Q1 results on Thursday, following Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta and Amazon. Investors will focus on revenue growth rates, profit margin shifts and management’s guidance for AI-related capital expenditures.
2. Big Tech AI Investments
Meta is targeting $115 billion to $135 billion for 2026 capex, Microsoft plans about $146 billion, Alphabet budgets $175 billion to $185 billion and Amazon projects $200 billion. These figures set the bar for Apple’s own AI spending disclosure.
3. Bitcoin-Nasdaq Correlation
Bitcoin’s correlation with the Nasdaq 100 rose from 0.23 in 2024 to an average of 0.52 in 2025, then jumped to 0.75 in January 2026. That tight link means Apple’s earnings could trigger synchronized moves across equity and crypto markets.
4. Fed Meeting and Market Outlook
A Federal Reserve policy meeting this week introduces additional uncertainty. Rate guidance and economic projections could sway risk appetite for Apple and other major technology stocks ahead of earnings season.