A recent livestream of "Market on Close" featured a discussion on whether to own Alphabet or Apple stock. This followed news of a partnership between the two companies.
On Jan. 12, 2026, Apple signed a multi-year agreement with Alphabet. The deal integrates Google's Gemini AI directly into the Apple ecosystem. Gemini will power the next generation of Siri and Apple Intelligence features across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Markets reacted immediately. Google's valuation briefly surpassed $4 trillion for the first time in history. The agreement embeds Gemini into over 2 billion Apple devices worldwide.
During the "Market on Close" livestream, Barchart's Senior Market Strategist John Rowland, CMT, shared his perspective. He stated that Google's chart looks healthy, while Apple's still looks conflicted.
Alphabet entered 2026 printing new all-time highs in early January. This was supported by accelerating Google Cloud growth, a first-ever $100B+ revenue quarter, and heavy AI infrastructure investment with projected 2026 capex near $93 billion.
Apple's stock spent months under key moving averages, lagging peers. It only recently reclaimed its 100-day moving average. The iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max cycle is shaping up as one of the strongest in years, with users upgrading from older models. Apple now commands roughly 20% of global smartphone share, its highest ever.
Apple is preparing a renewed push into the smart home, expected in spring 2026. This may feature a wall-mounted, AI-enabled display powered by Gemini-enhanced Siri.
John Rowland pointed out that if the AI trade ever proves overbuilt, Apple may be the one "laughing all the way to the bank." He noted that for momentum trading, Google has the cleaner chart. For long-term investing, Apple's patience may be underappreciated.