AAPL · 10-Q · 2026Q1 · Full report
Operating Expense Trends
Apple Inc. · 2026-05-01 · Importance 71 · Surprise 48 · No source text
Operating expenses increased in fiscal 2026 versus fiscal 2025: total operating expenses were $18,896 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 (versus $15,278 million prior year) and $37,275 million for the six months ended March 28, 2026 (versus $30,721 million prior year). Research and development expense rose primarily due to higher infrastructure-related costs and headcount-related expenses (R&D was $11,419 million for the quarter and $22,306 million for six months). Selling, general and administrative expense increased primarily due to higher headcount-related expenses, variable selling expenses and professional services. The filing highlights infrastructure-related and headcount-related drivers of the incremental operating expense during the second quarter and first six months of 2026.
Key facts
- Research and development expense for the six months ended March 28, 2026 was $22,306 million compared to $16,818 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025. source
- Total operating expenses for the six months ended March 28, 2026 were $37,275 million compared to $30,721 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025. source
- Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 28, 2026 were $18,896 million compared to $15,278 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. source
- Research and development expense for the three months ended March 28, 2026 was $11,419 million compared to $8,550 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. source
- Selling, general and administrative expense for the six months ended March 28, 2026 was $14,969 million compared to $13,903 million for the six months ended March 29, 2025. source
- Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 28, 2026 was $7,477 million compared to $6,728 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. source
- R&D expense increased during the second quarter and first six months of 2026 compared to 2025 primarily due to higher infrastructure-related costs and headcount-related expenses. source
- SG&A expense increased during the second quarter and first six months of 2026 compared to 2025 primarily due to higher headcount-related expenses, variable selling expenses and professional services. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating_income | negative | realized | -5.9% | Total operating expenses for the six months ended March 28, 2026 were $37,275 million compared to $30,721 million for the six months ended… |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -3.3% | Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 28, 2026 were $18,896 million compared to $15,278 million for the three months… |