Apple usually can count on a positive news cycle around its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, but expectations this year are subdued. And that sentiment is reflected in Apple stock action lately.
The low expectations stem from Apple's struggles to develop artificial intelligence applications for its devices, including an AI-powered Siri voice assistant.
"The media is having a good time previewing the June 9th WWDC (Apple developer conference) with expectations for … nothing" as Siri's AI delays remain a focus, Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes said in a client note Tuesday.
"It is unlikely we'll hear the company outline precise aspects of its upcoming product plans until September," he said. Reitzes rates Apple stock as buy with a price target of 240.
On the stock market today, Apple stock advanced 2.5% to close at 200.21.
The expected WWDC snooze follows a host of challenges Apple has faced recently. They include the Trump administration's tariffs and court decisions that threaten its lucrative services business.
Apple WWDC Likely 'Low Key' Affair
Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett said WWDC 2025 is expected to be a "low key" event. He noted that last year's WWDC "catalyzed huge excitement for Apple AI that subsequently fizzled amid failure to deliver promised features."
News reports about WWDC 2025 point to Apple announcing Siri integration with Google's Gemini AI assistant and third-party developer access to Apple's large language models. And as usual, Apple will detail updates to its device operating systems: iOS, MacOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS.
Crockett rates Apple stock as neutral with a price target of 217.
Follow Patrick Seitz on X, formerly Twitter, at @IBD_PSeitz for more stories on consumer technology, software and semiconductor stocks.
