This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares edged higher about 0.5% on Friday morning after fresh China smartphone shipment figures and a U.S. court decision boosted sentiment in thin holiday trading.

Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology showed that shipments of foreign?branded mobile phones, including Apple’s iPhone models, climbed about 128% in November from a year earlier, while total phone shipments in China rose modestly in the same period, Reuters calculations showed. This marked a rebound in demand for foreign brands in the world’s largest smartphone market.

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In a separate development, a U.S. district court denied Masimo’s request to block Apple Watch imports as part of a patent dispute, allowing redesigned smartwatches to continue entering the U.S. market.

The Masimo case stems from earlier litigation in which a jury awarded roughly $634 million for patent infringement related to Apple Watch health features; Apple is appealing that verdict.

Investors said the mix of stronger China demand data and the temporary legal outcome helped lift sentiment for Apple shares.

Analysts noted that sustained gains in China iPhone shipments and clarity on the legal front could influence Apple’s performance in early 2026 as smartphone trends evolve.