Apple Inc. $AAPL Stock Position Boosted by Strong Retirement Solutions LLC

Key Points

• Strong Retirement Solutions LLC increased its Apple position by 22.2% in the third quarter, holding 18,693 shares worth approximately $6.0 billion. Institutional investors collectively own 67.73% of Apple’s stock.
• Apple reported quarterly EPS of $2.02, exceeding estimates of $1.89, while revenue rose 16.4% year over year to $109.42 billion. The company also maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.27 per share.
• Apple shares opened at $342.96, near their 52-week high, and analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $340.39; however, insiders sold roughly $92.9 million worth of shares over the past 90 days.

Strong Retirement Solutions LLC increased its holdings in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 22.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,693 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after purchasing an additional 3,399 shares during the period. Apple makes up about 3.4% of Strong Retirement Solutions LLC's holdings, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Strong Retirement Solutions LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $5,996,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AAPL. Prospect Hill Management LLC purchased a new position in Apple during the 2nd quarter valued at about $146,370,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $168,646,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $482,388,000. Satovsky Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $16,064,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $9,513,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.73% of the company's stock.

Apple Stock Up 0.5%

AAPL stock opened at $342.96 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $324.64 and a 200 day moving average of $305.24. The firm has a market cap of $5.01 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.07. Apple Inc. has a twelve month low of $243.42 and a twelve month high of $348.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $109.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.04 billion. Apple had a return on equity of 135.46% and a net margin of 27.62%. Apple's quarterly revenue was up 16.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Apple Inc. will post 8.75 EPS for the current fiscal 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 $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 10th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Apple's payout ratio is 12.39%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Timothy D. Cook sold 191,753 shares of Apple stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.96, for a total value of $63,846,078.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 3,264,168 shares in the company, valued at $1,086,837,377.28. The trade was a 5.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 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 Apple stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $336.18, for a total transaction of $806,495.82. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 41,992 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,116,870.56. This represents a 5.40% 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 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. DA Davidson reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $270.00 target price on shares of Apple in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Apple in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $365.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Jefferies Financial Group restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Apple in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Finally, Maxim Group lifted their price objective on Apple from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $340.39.

Key Headlines Impacting Apple

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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