Can Apple Stock Recovery Outpace Nasdaq? Experts Weigh In

Apple stock recovery is finally beginning to take shape after a turbulent start to 2026 that saw many investors concerned about a prolonged Apple stock crash. Apple (AAPL) initially lagged behind, in comparison to other tech giants in the field, but recent market data and upcoming AI event now point to an upward trajectory dubbed the Apple stock defensive play.

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Apple Stock Recovery, Nasdaq Comparison & Defensive Play Insights

For a while, Apple has moved in lockstep closely with Nasdaq, which has been the benchmark. However, according to recent data from Meyka, in the last 40 days, the Apple vs Nasdaq correlation has plummeted to a staggering 0.21. This is the lowest it has been in two decades. This shift in Apple stock has prompted analysts to label the tech giant an outlier.

But why is the Apple vs Nasdaq correlation dropping? While tech giants have invested $700 billion into AI infrastructure, Apple took a back seat. or what analysts call Apple’s stock defensive play. The results? The big tech stocks have been dropping, and Apple is missing from the list. Now, Nasdaq is on the losing end while Apple is gaining. In fact, on a select day, Apple gained as much as 3.2% while Nasdaq dipped 0.1%.

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Apple’s rebound is tied closely to expectations surrounding its upcoming AI showcase in March. Although it’s an exclusive event, speculations point to the unveiling of new updates and products, but new AI capabilities are most anticipated.

Stock Recovery Blueprint?

Investors are wary of overheated AI spending across tech, and Apple’s avoidance of huge capitulation to that sector makes it highly attractive for lower risk.

After all, the Apple CEO, Tim Cook, doesn’t seem to think they’re late to the AI party. In an earlier statement, he said:

“We’ve rarely been first. There was a PC before the Mac; there was a smartphone before the iPhone; there were many tablets before the iPad; there was an MP3 player before iPod.”

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Will the Apple AI showcase strengthen its stock defensive play? Let’s wait and see. For now, the sentiment is that Apple hasn’t fallen down; it’s picking up the pace, at its own pace.