Apple’s iPhone shipments in China rose 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest growth among major vendors, Counterpoint Research data reported on April 17. The gain lifted Apple to about 19% market share, just behind Huawei at roughly 20%, even as overall Chinese smartphone shipments fell about 4% amid supply-chain disruptions and rising memory-chip prices. Huawei posted modest 2% growth, vivo grew 2% and budget-focused rivals fell sharply — Xiaomi shipments plunged ~35%, while Oppo and Honor dipped 5% and 3% respectively. Counterpoint analysts and Reuters attributed Apple’s outperformance to demand for the iPhone 17 series, durable-brand perception, promotional pricing and tighter supply-chain control that help absorb elevated component costs. Market watchers warned the sector faces further headwinds in Q2 as vendors raise prices to protect margins. Separately, some financial houses flagged Apple’s strong AI positioning and upgraded ratings this week, though a number of models note the stock trades at a premium and insiders have reduced holdings.

Apple's iPhone shipments in China jumped 20% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest growth among major vendors, Counterpoint Research data showed. The gain came as overall smartphone shipments in China fell about 4% amid supply-chain disruptions and sharply higher memory chip prices. Huawei retained the top spot with a roughly 20% market share and 2% growth, while Apple held about 19%. Xiaomi plunged roughly 35% on a tough year-earlier comparison, Oppo and Honor declined modestly and vivo rose about 2% supported by Lunar New Year demand. Counterpoint cited strong iPhone 17 demand, targeted promotions and some government subsidies as drivers of Apple's outperformance, and warned manufacturers face a “double hit” of shrinking volumes and tighter margins; it forecast a 9% full-year decline for China shipments in 2026. The data also helped lift Apple shares on April 17 as analysts and brokers highlighted the company’s premium mix, tight supply-chain control and ability to absorb some component cost increases.

Netflix co-founder and chairman Reed Hastings will leave the company when his board term expires in June 2026, the streaming giant said after releasing first-quarter results on April 16. Hastings, 65, said he will focus on philanthropy and other pursuits. The earnings update showed revenue of $12.25 billion and net income of roughly $5.3 billion for Q1, with GAAP earnings per share of $1.23; Netflix also received a $2.8 billion termination fee tied to its failed bid for Warner Bros Discovery. Management forecast second-quarter revenue and earnings below some street expectations (Q2 EPS guidance cited around $0.78), prompting roughly an 8–9% drop in after-hours trading. Netflix reported more than 325 million paid members and said it is prioritising growth through advertising (targeting about $3 billion in ad revenue in 2026), live sports and new formats such as video podcasts, along with investments in technology including generative AI and a revamped mobile experience.

AEVEX Corp, a California-based drone and unmanned systems maker backed by private equity, raised $320 million after selling 16 million shares in a U.S. initial public offering priced at $20 apiece and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker AVEX. Shares opened at $23.01 on April 17, jumping about 15% in the debut and giving the company a market valuation of roughly $2.57 billion. AEVEX supplies airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and has two operating segments: tactical systems (about 75% of revenue) and global solutions for aircraft modification and engineering. The U.S. government accounted for about 78% of the company’s 2025 revenue. Goldman Sachs, BofA Securities and Jefferies served as joint bookrunners. The listing comes amid heightened investor appetite for defence-linked firms as governments increase spending on unmanned systems in response to conflicts including Ukraine and the Middle East. Some market trackers flagged weak underlying financial metrics (one provider showed a GF Score of 0), underscoring investor caution about valuation and profitability.

Spirit Airlines could begin liquidation as soon as this week, several news reports citing people familiar with the matter said, putting the embattled ultra-low-cost U.S. carrier at risk of shutting down amid its second Chapter 11 restructuring. The Fort Lauderdale-based airline, which refiled for bankruptcy in 2025 and has been pursuing a plan to slim operations and emerge from protection by early summer, is being squeezed by sharply higher jet fuel costs since the Iran war. Jet fuel in major U.S. markets averaged roughly $4.88 a gallon in early April, analysts say, and JPMorgan has warned Spirit could face roughly $360 million of additional fuel costs against a cash balance of about $337 million at year-end. Lenders recently filed objections to parts of Spirit’s reorganisation plan and competitors such as Frontier and JetBlue have added overlapping capacity on many routes. Spirit said it did not comment on market rumours and that operations continue normally. If liquidation occurs, the move could strand passengers, affect airport operations and prompt other carriers to deploy “rescue fares” or pick up routes left vacant.

Within President Donald Trump’s first year back in office, two federal supports that helped expand solar on agricultural land — the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and long-standing clean energy tax credits — have been rolled back, industry and government data show. Reporters working with Grist and the Associated Press found the USDA has awarded no rural energy grants or loan guarantees so far this fiscal year and that at least 126 proposed solar projects on or near farmland, representing about 20 gigawatts of potential capacity, are awaiting approval. The reset of tax-credit timelines now requires commercial projects to be under construction by July 2026 and in service by the end of 2027, a schedule some developers say they cannot meet; German firm Alpin Sun says it abandoned projects after losing roughly $6 million and about 1,000 MW of pipeline. Family farmers such as Kentucky sheepman Daniel Bell report lost access to grant support and are turning to private lease arrangements or co-locating livestock beneath panels where possible. The policy shifts have prompted some developers to accelerate work to chase credits while stalling or cancelling others that no longer pencil out.