Apple Inc. $AAPL Shares Purchased by Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Colton Groome Financial Advisors increased its Apple stake by 13.4% in the third quarter, owning 37,346 shares valued at approximately $12.4 million. Apple represents about 2.9% of the firm's portfolio.
• Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.73% of Apple, while company insiders sold approximately $92.9 million worth of shares over the past 90 days, primarily including senior vice presidents.
• Wall Street maintains a “Moderate Buy” consensus on Apple, with an average price target of $340.39. The company recently exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue estimates and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share.

Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 13.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 37,346 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after purchasing an additional 4,423 shares during the quarter. Apple makes up approximately 2.9% of Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Colton Groome Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $12,381,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired a new stake in Apple in the 2nd quarter valued at about $65,950,297,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in shares of Apple in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,986,090,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in shares of Apple in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,443,242,000. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new stake in shares of Apple in the second quarter valued at approximately $13,658,359,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Apple in the second quarter valued at approximately $10,588,946,000. 67.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Deirdre O'brien sold 46,389 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.42, for a total transaction of $15,467,020.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 136,810 shares of the company's stock, valued at $45,615,190.20. The trade was a 25.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, SVP Jennifer Newstead sold 2,399 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.01, for a total value of $796,491.99. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 39,593 shares of the company's stock, valued at $13,145,271.93. The trade was a 5.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 279,383 shares of company stock worth $92,912,517 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AAPL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore set a $380.00 price objective on Apple and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $400.00 target price on Apple and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 17th. Loop Capital set a $380.00 target price on Apple in a research note on Friday, September 18th. China Renaissance downgraded Apple from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $329.00 to $280.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, HSBC reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $366.00 target price on shares of Apple in a report on Tuesday, September 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have given a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $340.39.

Apple Price Performance

Apple stock opened at $342.96 on Thursday. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $324.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $305.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.00. Apple Inc. has a 1 year low of $243.42 and a 1 year high of $348.15. The company has a market capitalization of $5.01 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.07.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.13. Apple had a net margin of 27.62% and a return on equity of 135.46%. The company had revenue of $109.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.04 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.57 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Apple Inc. will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Apple Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 10th were given a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 10th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Apple's dividend payout ratio is currently 12.39%.

Apple News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Apple’s $299 HomeView smart-home hub, along with new cameras, a doorbell, smart lock, thermostat and updated Apple TV and HomePod products, gives the company new hardware and ecosystem expansion opportunities. Analysts also see potential for recurring iCloud+ and other Services revenue. Apple releases HomeView smart home hub with screen as showcase for Siri AI
• Positive Sentiment: Apple reportedly plans to launch Apple Intelligence in mainland China in December, potentially improving access to AI features in a strategically important market. Apple to Release AI Platform in Mainland China
• Positive Sentiment: Apple benefited from news that GlobalFoundries will build two New York fabs with up to $21 billion in U.S.-Japan funding. Apple is expected to source chips from the expanded domestic capacity, supporting supply-chain diversification. GlobalFoundries Secures $21B for New York Fabs
• Positive Sentiment: Investor optimism was reinforced by Apple’s market value reclaiming the $5 trillion milestone, while analyst Dan Ives suggested a stronger AI strategy could support a $400 price target. Apple reaches new highs ahead of iPhone Duo preorders
• Neutral Sentiment: Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders begin October 16. Strong demand could provide a near-term catalyst, but reports of shorter iPhone 18 Pro delivery windows and reduced supplier production have raised questions about demand.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts estimate that a paid, more capable Siri could eventually generate substantial Services revenue, but Apple has not announced pricing or a launch date for expanded AI access.
• Negative Sentiment: OpenAI alleges that a former employee who joined Apple transferred more than 100 confidential files concerning an unreleased device. The case could create legal, reputational and product-development risks, although there is no indication Apple used the information. OpenAI alleges former employee took device files to Apple
• Negative Sentiment: Gene Munster warned Apple could lose the AI platform battle if users become loyal to rival assistants such as Meta’s Muse or Grok. Critics also questioned whether HomeView meaningfully addresses Apple’s AI shortcomings.
• Negative Sentiment: With Apple trading near record levels at a rich valuation, investors are concerned that slower growth, margin pressure and uncertain iPhone demand may limit further upside.

About Apple

Apple Inc is a technology company that designs, develops and markets consumer electronics, software and digital services. Its best-known products include the iPhone smartphone, Mac personal computers, iPad tablets, Apple Watch, AirPods and other accessories. The company also develops operating systems and software platforms, including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and visionOS.

Apple's services business includes the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+ and iCloud.

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