Apple Inc. $AAPL is Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC's Largest Position

Key Points

• Kestra Private Wealth Services increased its Apple stake by 1.9% in the first quarter and now owns 1,062,035 shares worth about $269.5 million, making Apple its largest holding at 3.3% of the portfolio.
• Apple’s latest quarterly results beat expectations, with $2.01 EPS on $111.18 billion in revenue, and revenue rose 16.6% year over year. Analysts currently rate the stock a Moderate Buy with a consensus price target of $314.85.
• Recent headlines around Apple are mixed: analysts see improving iPhone demand and strong long-term fundamentals, but the company is also facing memory-chip cost pressure, cybersecurity concerns, and ongoing regulatory scrutiny in markets like Russia and the U.K.

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its position in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 1.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,062,035 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after acquiring an additional 19,507 shares during the quarter. Apple accounts for about 3.3% of Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $269,534,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Isthmus Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Apple by 6.4% during the third quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 97,177 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 5,808 shares in the last quarter. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Apple during the fourth quarter worth about $41,000. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apple by 1,800.0% in the first quarter. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC now owns 190 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Apple in the fourth quarter worth about $65,000. Finally, Timmons Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Apple in the fourth quarter valued at about $69,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.73% of the company's stock.

Apple News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UBS said iPhone demand is improving in key markets, though it does not appear to be driven by Apple Intelligence. Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone Demand Is Improving, But AI Isn’t The Reason Why
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles highlighted Apple as a favored large-cap name, with bullish pieces citing seasonal strength, Warren Buffett-style appeal, and strong long-term fundamentals. This Stock is My Biggest Bet For July
• Neutral Sentiment: Apple’s AI expansion remains a focus, with reports saying the company is weaving AI deeper into services and hardware, but competition from Alphabet and Microsoft keeps expectations in check. Apple's AI Expansion Aims to Boost Services Momentum: What's Ahead?
• Negative Sentiment: Apple is dealing with a reported memory-chip crunch that has already forced price increases on some products, which could pressure margins and demand if costs stay elevated. Apple negotiates with blacklisted Chinese chipmakers amid AI-driven memory crunch
• Negative Sentiment: Supply-chain and cybersecurity concerns also weighed on sentiment after reports of a Tata Electronics breach exposed confidential iPhone 18 Pro-related information. Apple’s China Memory Push Could Be a Win for AAPL Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory pressure remains a risk, with Russia warning of a possible fine and the U.K. CMA targeting Apple’s App Store payment rules, which could eventually hit services revenue. Russia warns Apple of $52 million fine over alleged bias against local apps

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have issued reports on AAPL. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "overweight" rating and set a $310.00 price objective (up from $300.00) on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, May 1st. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of Apple from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $300.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Apple in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Apple from $335.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $310.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $314.85.

Apple Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AAPL opened at $294.38 on Thursday. Apple Inc. has a twelve month low of $201.50 and a twelve month high of $317.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $4.32 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 1.10. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $293.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $273.39.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.95 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $111.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $109.46 billion. Apple had a return on equity of 146.69% and a net margin of 27.15%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.65 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Apple Inc. will post 8.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Apple Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 11th were given a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 11th. This is an increase from Apple's previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Apple's payout ratio is 13.06%.

Insider Transactions at Apple

In other news, insider Ben Borders sold 1,274 shares of Apple stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.00, for a total value of $369,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 38,713 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,226,770. The trade was a 3.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kevan Parekh sold 1,534 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $275.00, for a total transaction of $421,850.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 13,366 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,675,650. This represents a 10.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 2,924 shares of company stock worth $825,546. Insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Apple Company Profile

Apple Inc NASDAQ: AAPL is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, software and services. Over its history Apple has evolved from personal computers to a broad portfolio that spans mobile devices, wearables, home entertainment and digital services.

Apple's principal hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet, Mac personal computers, Apple Watch wearable devices and a range of accessories such as AirPods and HomePod.

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