Apple Inc. $AAPL Shares Sold by Wedbush Securities Inc.

Key Points

• Wedbush Securities reduced its Apple stake by 1.9% in the second quarter, selling 19,133 shares and retaining 968,308 shares worth approximately $280.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 67.73% of Apple.
• Apple reported quarterly EPS of $2.02, exceeding the $1.89 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 16.4% year over year to $109.42 billion. The company also maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with Apple holding a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $330.53, although some firms have recently lowered ratings or targets amid concerns about innovation, AI execution and Services growth.

Wedbush Securities Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 1.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 968,308 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after selling 19,133 shares during the period. Apple comprises approximately 7.2% of Wedbush Securities Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Wedbush Securities Inc.'s holdings in Apple were worth $280,190,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Avenir Tech Ltd purchased a new position in Apple during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC purchased a new stake in Apple in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. bought a new position in shares of Apple during the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC lifted its position in shares of Apple by 1,800.0% during the 1st quarter. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC now owns 190 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Timmons Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Apple in the 4th quarter worth approximately $69,000. 67.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Apple Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AAPL opened at $311.30 on Friday. Apple Inc. has a 1-year low of $223.78 and a 1-year high of $344.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $310.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $286.89. The firm has a market cap of $4.54 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.09.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.13. Apple had a return on equity of 135.46% and a net margin of 27.62%.The company had revenue of $109.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.57 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Apple Inc. will post 8.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Apple Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Ben Borders sold 116 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $295.14, for a total value of $34,236.24. Following the sale, the insider owned 38,713 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,425,754.82. The trade was a 0.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, SVP Jennifer Newstead sold 1,439 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $307.49, for a total transaction of $442,478.11. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 38,668 shares in the company, valued at $11,890,023.32. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 2,994 shares of company stock valued at $919,567 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on AAPL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Apple from $345.00 to $340.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Evercore restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Apple in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed a "market perform" rating on shares of Apple in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Phillip Securities cut Apple from a "hold" rating to a "moderate sell" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Seaport Research Partners downgraded shares of Apple from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Apple presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $330.53.

Key Stories Impacting Apple

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Apple is increasingly viewed as a defensive Big Tech holding because it relies less on massive AI infrastructure spending than peers. Analysts also describe the company as an underappreciated AI beneficiary, supporting demand for the stock during technology-sector volatility. Apple Holds Firm as Investors Seek Big Tech's Defensive Outlier
• Positive Sentiment: Upcoming product catalysts—including a potential foldable iPhone, camera-equipped AI AirPods targeted for 2027, new Apple silicon and expanded Siri AI capabilities—could support a stronger product cycle. One analyst estimates foldable iPhone sales could reach 14 million units by 2027. Apple’s Foldable iPhone Opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America reiterated a Buy rating ahead of incoming CEO John Ternus’s September 1 transition, while Redburn upgraded Apple. The bullish case centers on renewed innovation and stronger AI investment under new leadership. Apple Must Relearn How to Surprise Under New CEO Ternus
• Positive Sentiment: Apple and Samsung are gaining share in India as higher chip costs pressure lower-priced Chinese smartphone competitors, potentially improving Apple’s premium-market opportunity. Chip Squeeze Hits Chinese Smartphones in India
• Neutral Sentiment: Senior Vice President Jennifer Newstead sold 1,439 shares for approximately $442,000, reducing her holdings by 3.59%. The transaction was disclosed in an SEC filing but is relatively small compared with her remaining stake.
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Apple has become predictable and dependent on incremental improvements. The CEO transition creates execution risk, with Ternus expected to decide whether to materially increase spending to compete in AI. Apple Has Gotten Too Predictable
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that App Store commission revenue declined 18%, alongside continuing legal and regulatory challenges, raise questions about the durability of Apple’s high-margin Services growth. Apple’s App Store Commission Revenue Reportedly Drops

Apple 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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