If you’ve spent any time looking at a brokerage app lately, you've probably seen that little number labeled "beta" sitting next to the P/E ratio and dividend yield. Most people glance at it and move on. Honestly, that’s a mistake—especially right now.
Apple isn’t the "slow and steady" safe haven it used to be back in 2018. But it’s also not a wild penny stock. It’s stuck in this strange middle ground.
As of mid-January 2026, the beta for apple stock is hovering around 1.11.
Wait. What does that actually mean for your wallet?
The 1.11 Breakdown: Is Apple Actually "Risky"?
Beta is basically a speedometer for how much a stock jumps around compared to the S&P 500. Think of the S&P 500 as the baseline. It always has a beta of 1.0.
Since Apple’s beta is 1.11, it’s about 11% more volatile than the broader market. If the S&P 500 climbs 10% this year, math says Apple should climb about 11.1%. But that knife cuts both ways. If the market slides 10%, you’re likely looking at an 11% haircut on your AAPL shares.
It’s a bit of a tease.
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For a long time, Apple’s beta stayed closer to 1.0. It moved in lockstep with the economy because, well, Apple was the economy. Everyone had an iPhone. Everyone paid for iCloud. But things shifted.
Why the Beta for Apple Stock is Creeping Higher
You’d think a company with a $3.8 trillion market cap would be stable as a rock. Usually, the bigger you get, the slower you move. But 2026 has been a weird year for tech.
Apple has been playing catch-up in the AI race. While Nvidia and Microsoft were off to the races in '24 and '25, Apple was a bit quieter. Now, with the launch of "Siri 2.0" and the deeper integration of Apple Intelligence, the stock is reacting to every single headline.
Investors are jumpy.
One day, an analyst says iPhone 17 sales are "meh," and the stock dips. The next day, a rumor about Apple’s smart glasses (rumored for late 2026) sends the price back up. This "headline sensitivity" is exactly why the beta for apple stock has stayed above 1.1 recently.
- Market Cap: $3.8 Trillion (still fighting Nvidia for the crown)
- Current Price: Roughly $255–$260 range
- 5-Year Historical Beta: 1.09
- Current 1-Year Beta: ~1.11
Comparing Apple to the Rest of the "Magnificent" Crew
If you think 1.11 is high, look at the neighbors. Nvidia’s beta is often double that, sometimes swinging above 2.0. Compared to the real "movers," Apple is still the adult in the room.
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Alphabet (Google) is sitting right there with Apple around 1.09.
But if you’re looking for a "safety" play, you might be surprised to find that some traditional tech peers are actually less volatile right now. Visa and Texas Instruments often sport betas below 1.0.
Apple is no longer the "defensive" tech play. It’s a growth story again, and growth stories are bumpy.
The "January 2026" Reality Check
The market is currently pricing in a tight range for AAPL. Options traders are looking at a 26% implied volatility. That’s not "crash" territory, but it’s definitely "buckle your seatbelt" territory.
We saw a bit of a sell-off in early January 2026, with the price dipping from the $270s down to about $255. When the market sneezed, Apple caught a slightly worse cold. That is beta in action.
What This Means for Your Portfolio
Don't let the 1.11 number scare you off. It just means you shouldn't expect a flat line. If you’re a long-term holder, the beta is mostly noise. If you're a swing trader, it’s your best friend (or your worst enemy).
Actionable Steps to Take Now:
- Check your weighting: If Apple makes up 40% of your portfolio, a beta of 1.11 means your entire net worth is basically 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. That’s fine if you have a stomach for it, but it's something to know.
- Watch the AI milestones: Specifically, keep an eye on the Spring 2026 software updates. If the "Apple Intelligence" rollout feels stagnant, expect that beta to spike as investors get frustrated.
- Rebalance based on "Risk-Free" rates: With the Fed making moves in early 2026, the "extra" 11% volatility in Apple needs to be worth the reward. If Apple isn't outperforming the market by at least a few percentage points, you’re taking on "extra" risk for no "extra" pay.
Beta isn't a crystal ball. It’s a rearview mirror. It tells you how Apple has behaved, which is usually a pretty good guess for how it will behave tomorrow. Right now, that behavior says: expect a slightly wilder ride than your average index fund.
Next Step for Investors: Take a look at your portfolio's "Weighted Average Beta." If most of your tech holdings are over 1.1, you might want to balance them with "Low Beta" sectors like Utilities or Consumer Staples to keep your overall volatility under control while Apple navigates its next big product cycle.