Apple Inc. $AAPL Stake Boosted by Seelaus Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Seelaus Asset Management increased its Apple stake by 9.6% in the third quarter to 37,675 shares valued at approximately $12.4 million. Apple now represents 9.0% of the firm's portfolio, while institutional investors collectively own 67.73% of the stock.
• Apple insiders have recently sold shares, including CFO Kevan Parekh and CEO John Ternus, with the transactions primarily covering tax obligations related to vested equity awards. Insiders have sold approximately $95.5 million of stock over the past 90 days.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with Apple carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $340.12. The stock was trading near $347.73, following quarterly revenue growth of 16.4% and earnings that exceeded estimates.

Seelaus Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 9.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 37,675 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after acquiring an additional 3,310 shares during the quarter. Apple makes up 9.0% of Seelaus Asset Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Seelaus Asset Management LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $12,407,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. ABLE Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Apple by 4.9% during the third quarter. ABLE Financial Group LLC now owns 48,794 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $16,249,000 after acquiring an additional 2,285 shares in the last quarter. Aspen Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Apple by 9.3% during the third quarter. Aspen Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,239 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $5,075,000 after purchasing an additional 1,294 shares during the last quarter. Shore Point Advisors LLC grew its stake in Apple by 36.0% in the third quarter. Shore Point Advisors LLC now owns 5,588 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $1,810,000 after purchasing an additional 1,479 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Forward LLC grew its stake in Apple by 0.3% in the third quarter. Wealth Forward LLC now owns 13,327 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $4,438,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Apple by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,627 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $4,871,000 after purchasing an additional 799 shares during the last quarter. 67.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Apple

In related news, CFO Kevan Parekh sold 1,392 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $345.05, for a total value of $480,309.60. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 17,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,051,831.95. This trade represents a 7.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CEO John Ternus sold 25,412 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.94, for a total value of $8,460,671.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 59,567 shares in the company, valued at $19,832,236.98. The trade was a 29.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders have sold a total of 286,853 shares of company stock worth $95,477,342 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on AAPL shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Apple from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, October 12th. Loop Capital lowered Apple from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $370.00 to $330.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 20th. Raymond James Financial reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of Apple in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Apple from $310.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $350.00 price objective (up from $310.00) on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have given a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $340.12.

Apple Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:AAPL opened at $347.73 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.07 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.07. Apple Inc. has a 1 year low of $243.42 and a 1 year high of $351.73. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $329.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $309.34. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

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

Apple Dividend Announcement

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

More Apple News

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong iPhone Duo demand is the primary catalyst. The foldable phone launched globally Friday amid long lines, limited store inventory and reports that preorders are backordered into 2027. Supply-chain reports indicate Apple raised its first-year shipment target by 44%, to roughly 14 million units. The premium product could expand Apple’s addressable market and support revenue growth. Apple fans react as iPhone Duo hits stores
• Positive Sentiment: The launch strengthens Apple’s broader hardware and services roadmap. Analysts are evaluating whether the Duo can drive accessory, software and services revenue, while potential touchscreen Macs, smart-home products and an Apple-Schneider Electric energy-management partnership provide additional growth opportunities. Will Apple take over the smart home
• Positive Sentiment: Apple briefly reclaimed the title of world’s most valuable public company. AAPL approached or surpassed Nvidia’s approximately $5 trillion valuation as Nvidia shares weakened during a broader AI-stock selloff. Investors are treating Apple’s substantial cash generation and lower AI infrastructure spending as a relative safe haven. Apple tops Nvidia in market value
• Neutral Sentiment: The next major test is earnings. Apple’s fiscal fourth-quarter results are expected November 2, with investors looking for evidence that iPhone Duo demand, holiday sales and margins justify a stock trading near 40 times earnings. Analysts remain broadly constructive, but the average price target is close to recent trading levels.
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and valuation risks remain significant. Some early users have reported cracked foldable screens, while reviews cite first-generation glitches, a $2,000 price and limitations involving the camera and apps. These issues could affect returns, customer satisfaction and adoption.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling adds a modest cautionary signal. Senior Vice President Jennifer Newstead sold approximately $815,000 of AAPL shares, following several similar sales. The transaction is small relative to Apple’s size but may reinforce concerns that the stock has become expensive.

About Apple

Apple Inc designs, develops and sells 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 applications that support its hardware ecosystem.

Apple's services business includes the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, iCloud, Apple Pay and other subscription, payment and digital-content offerings.

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