{"id":64694,"date":"2026-07-13T06:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/citigroup-lifts-price-targets-for-apple-and-super-micro-iran-russia-gas-deal-nears-completion\/64694\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T06:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:38:16","slug":"citigroup-lifts-price-targets-for-apple-and-super-micro-iran-russia-gas-deal-nears-completion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/citigroup-lifts-price-targets-for-apple-and-super-micro-iran-russia-gas-deal-nears-completion\/64694\/","title":{"rendered":"Citigroup Lifts Price Targets for Apple and Super Micro; Iran-Russia Gas Deal Nears Completion"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Citigroup (<a href=\"\/stock\/C\">C<\/a>) significantly raised its price target for Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) to $365 from $315<\/strong>, citing higher margin expectations and market share gains.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Super Micro Computer (<a href=\"\/stock\/SMCI\">SMCI<\/a>) saw its price target increased to $33 from $31 at Citigroup<\/strong>, reflecting growing confidence in AI infrastructure demand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Iran and Russia are reportedly close to finalizing a major natural gas trade agreement<\/strong>, according to the Iranian Oil Ministry&#39;s news service, SHANA.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) is expected to maintain a &quot;Buy&quot; rating<\/strong> as analysts anticipate the company will continue capturing market share despite a broader slowdown in the devices market.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Energy cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is intensifying<\/strong>, with both nations working to settle final pricing and payment mechanisms for Russian gas supplies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Citigroup Bullish on Tech Giants Apple and Super Micro<\/h2>\n<p>Citigroup (<a href=\"\/stock\/C\">C<\/a>) has issued a series of optimistic updates for major technology players, led by a substantial price target hike for Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>). Analyst <strong>Asiya Merchant<\/strong> raised the firm&#39;s target on the iPhone maker to <strong>$365 from $315<\/strong>, maintaining a <strong>Buy<\/strong> rating. The revision is driven by expectations of <strong>higher margins<\/strong> following recent price increases and Apple&#39;s ability to gain market share even as the global device market faces a slowdown.<\/p>\n<p>The brokerage also showed increased confidence in the AI server market by raising its price target for Super Micro Computer (<a href=\"\/stock\/SMCI\">SMCI<\/a>) to <strong>$33 from $31<\/strong>. While Citigroup maintains a <strong>Neutral<\/strong> rating on the stock, the update reflects the company&#39;s position as a critical supplier of high-performance servers for <strong>artificial intelligence workloads<\/strong>. Investors are closely monitoring Super Micro&#39;s ability to fulfill a reported <strong>$39 billion AI server backlog<\/strong> despite recent governance and dilution concerns.<\/p>\n<h2>Iran and Russia Finalize Strategic Gas Trade Agreement<\/h2>\n<p>On the geopolitical front, Iran and Russia are nearing the conclusion of a landmark natural gas trade deal. According to <strong>SHANA<\/strong>, the official news agency of the Iranian Oil Ministry, the two nations are in the final stages of negotiations to formalize the exchange. This agreement follows a series of high-level meetings aimed at deepening <strong>economic diplomacy<\/strong> and countering international sanctions.<\/p>\n<p>The deal is expected to involve a <strong>two-stage program<\/strong> for Russian gas supplies to Iran. While the strategic framework is largely in place, officials from the <strong>National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC)<\/strong> indicated that two primary issues\u2014<strong>gas pricing and payment mechanisms<\/strong>\u2014are the remaining hurdles before the agreement is fully executed. This cooperation could eventually transform Iran into a regional energy bridge, facilitating the re-export of Russian energy to neighboring markets.<\/p>\n<h2>Market Implications for AI and Energy<\/h2>\n<p>The target price increases for Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) and Super Micro Computer (<a href=\"\/stock\/SMCI\">SMCI<\/a>) underscore Wall Street&#39;s continued focus on <strong>AI-driven growth<\/strong> and premium hardware positioning. Apple&#39;s focus on <strong>&quot;Apple Intelligence&quot;<\/strong> and high-end brand loyalty is seen as a defensive moat against macroeconomic volatility. Meanwhile, Super Micro&#39;s revised target highlights the scale of the <strong>AI infrastructure build-out<\/strong>, even as the company navigates a massive <strong>$7 billion capital-raising plan<\/strong> to expand production capacity.<\/p>\n<p>In the energy sector, the deepening ties between <strong>Gazprom<\/strong> and the <strong>National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)<\/strong> represent a significant shift in global gas trade dynamics. By leveraging their combined reserves\u2014which account for approximately <strong>30% of the world&#39;s supply<\/strong>\u2014Russia and Iran aim to establish a more integrated Eurasian energy corridor. This move is viewed by analysts as a strategic effort to secure long-term energy sovereignty and stabilize domestic fuel markets amidst ongoing regional tensions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Citigroup (C) significantly raised its price target for Apple (AAPL) to $365 from $315, citing higher margin expectations 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