Apple Inc. $AAPL Stock Purchased by GoalVest Advisory LLC

Key Points

• GoalVest Advisory increased its Apple stake by 704.5% in the third quarter, acquiring 95,646 additional shares for a total of 109,223 shares valued at approximately $36.4 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 67.73% of Apple.
• Apple reported quarterly earnings of $2.02 per share on $109.42 billion in revenue, exceeding analyst expectations, while maintaining a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $340.39, though Apple’s high valuation and questions about iPhone demand could create downside risks.

GoalVest Advisory LLC raised its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 704.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 109,223 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after purchasing an additional 95,646 shares during the quarter. Apple makes up about 1.9% of GoalVest Advisory LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. GoalVest Advisory LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $36,373,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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

Apple Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of Apple stock opened at $341.27 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.98 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.14, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.07. 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 Inc. has a 12-month low of $243.42 and a 12-month high of $348.15. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $324.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $304.61.

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

Apple Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity

In other Apple news, SVP Jennifer Newstead sold 2,399 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $336.18, for a total transaction of $806,495.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 41,992 shares in the company, valued at $14,116,870.56. The trade was a 5.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO John Ternus sold 25,412 shares of the business'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 transaction of $8,460,671.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 59,567 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $19,832,236.98. This represents a 29.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 279,383 shares of company stock valued at $92,912,517. 0.06% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. 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. HSBC reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $366.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research report on Tuesday, September 8th. Loop Capital set a $380.00 target price on Apple in a report on Friday, September 18th. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Apple in a research report on Monday, August 17th. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Finally, DA Davidson reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $270.00 target price on shares of Apple in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $340.39.

Apple News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Apple launched the $299 HomeView smart-home hub, featuring an upgraded Siri AI assistant, along with a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2, cameras, a video doorbell, smart lock, thermostat and other accessories. The products expand Apple’s ecosystem into the home and provide a potential new source of hardware and services revenue. Apple releases HomeView smart home hub with screen as showcase for Siri AI
• Positive Sentiment: Partnerships with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric broaden the Apple Home Collection, including security, energy-management and access-control products that could increase engagement with iPhones, Apple Watches and other Apple devices. LG announces smart-home accessories developed with Apple
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains favorable. Bernstein reiterated a Buy rating with a $370 target, while JPMorgan raised its target to $360. Reports also indicate Apple’s iPhone market share reached 22% in the latest quarter, and iPhone 18 Pro demand may be stronger than last year. Bernstein reiterates Buy rating on Apple
• Positive Sentiment: A federal judge ordered OpenAI to provide hiring records and other materials in Apple’s trade-secrets lawsuit, potentially helping Apple investigate the recruitment of former employees and its claims against OpenAI. Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are awaiting iPhone Duo preorders on October 16. Strong purchase intent could support the stock, but pricing and delivery trends will be closely watched.
• Negative Sentiment: Some suppliers are reportedly cutting production of newer iPhone models, while shorter delivery windows for Pro models raise questions about demand. Apple’s shares also trade at a demanding valuation, leaving less room for disappointing December-quarter guidance.
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn that SpaceX’s potential Starlink smartphone and Google’s expanding health-data platform could intensify competition in wireless services, wearables and ecosystem engagement over time.

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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