Is Apple (AAPL.US) the "ultimate answer" for AI investments? Amid a semiconductor crash, it once again reaches a $5 trillion market value as the foldable iPhone and AI-powered smart home ignite growth prospects.

Smart Finance APP has learned that as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index experienced five consecutive days of declines and a cumulative pullback of nearly 10%, US consumer electronics giant Apple (AAPL.US) hit a new intraday high of $348.15 during US trading on October 13, with its market value once again surpassing $5 trillion. Apple closed at $341.27 with a market value of approximately $4.98 trillion. According to the strategist team at Wall Street financial giant Bernstein, the expensive high-end foldable devices contribute to extremely strong motivation for iPhone upgrades and a premium product portfolio, while AI-powered smart home products significantly enhance Apple's consumer electronics ecosystem as an interactive entry point and service touchpoint. Together, these factors broaden the sources of growth. The firm maintains its "outperform" bullish rating on Apple and a target price of $370, implying a further potential upside of around 10%.