Apple Inc. $AAPL Stock: Verus Wealth Management LLC Increases Position

Key Points

• Verus Wealth Management increased its Apple stake by 300.8% in the third quarter, ending with 18,780 shares valued at approximately $6.21 million. Institutional investors collectively own 67.73% of Apple.
• Apple’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with earnings per share of $2.02 and revenue of $109.42 billion, up 16.4% year over year. The company also maintains a $0.27 quarterly dividend, equivalent to a 0.3% yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $340.12 target price, although valuation concerns persist. Apple trades near a $5.08 trillion market capitalization at roughly 40 times earnings, while some analysts have downgraded or maintained neutral ratings.

Verus Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 300.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,780 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after acquiring an additional 14,094 shares during the quarter. Apple comprises about 3.9% of Verus Wealth Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Verus Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Apple were worth $6,210,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Apple by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 38,622 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $12,862,000 after purchasing an additional 642 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in Apple by 9.2% in the third quarter. Catalyst Private Wealth LLC now owns 14,024 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $4,670,000 after purchasing an additional 1,178 shares during the last quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Apple by 0.6% in the third quarter. Salvus Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,187 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $6,723,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. St. Clair Advisors LLC grew its stake in Apple by 11.6% in the third quarter. St. Clair Advisors LLC now owns 86,796 shares of the iPhone maker's stock valued at $28,345,000 after purchasing an additional 9,025 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thor Investment Management Inc. OH ADV raised its holdings in Apple by 1.6% in the third quarter. Thor Investment Management Inc. OH ADV now owns 1,912 shares of the iPhone maker's stock worth $637,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. 67.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays reissued an "underweight" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down from $253.00) on shares of Apple in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Apple in a report on Wednesday. Phillip Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Apple from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Apple from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 17th. Finally, Citic Securities raised their target price on shares of Apple from $300.00 to $349.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $340.12.

Apple Trading Up 1.2%

Apple stock opened at $348.22 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $328.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $309.07. 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 one year low of $243.42 and a one year high of $348.36. The stock has a market cap of $5.08 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.93, 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 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 business had revenue of $109.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.57 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Apple Inc. will post 8.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Apple Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Apple

In related news, SVP Deirdre O'brien sold 46,389 shares of Apple stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $333.42, for a total value of $15,467,020.38. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 136,810 shares in the company, valued at $45,615,190.20. This trade represents a 25.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at 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 the business's 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 sale, the senior vice president directly owned 41,992 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,116,870.56. This represents a 5.40% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 286,853 shares of company stock valued at $95,477,342. Company insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Apple

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong iPhone Duo demand is the main catalyst. Preorders for the $1,999 foldable reportedly sold out quickly, with delivery dates extending into 2027. DigiTimes reported that Apple raised its 12-month shipment target by 44% to 14 million units, up from an initial 9.7 million. iPhone Duo preorder surge prompts Apple to raise shipment targets
• Positive Sentiment: The foldable launches Friday with supply constrained. Limited store inventory, combined with online backorders, could support near-term pricing power and signal meaningful demand for a new premium product category. Apple bets iPhone Duo can remake foldable market
• Positive Sentiment: Apple is increasingly viewed as an AI “safe haven.” Investors are favoring the company’s substantial cash generation and device-focused AI strategy over rivals committing enormous sums to centralized data centers. Berkshire Hathaway’s continued large Apple holding also reinforces the stock’s defensive appeal. Apple’s Cash Flow Machine Makes It Investors’ Favorite AI Hedge
• Positive Sentiment: Additional growth opportunities are emerging. Apple is expanding its smart-home ecosystem with Schneider Electric and has another product event scheduled for October 28, potentially providing further catalysts. Schneider Electric teams up with Apple on smart-home products
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation remains the key debate. Apple’s approximately 40 times earnings multiple and $5 trillion valuation leave investors dependent on strong holiday sales, expanding margins and sustained product growth. Analysts remain divided, with some projecting another major growth phase while others see limited upside.
• Negative Sentiment: Loop Capital downgraded AAPL to Hold over valuation and concerns about iPhone shipment prospects, creating a counterweight to the upbeat foldable-phone reports. Apple slips as Loop Capital downgrades on iPhone shipment concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling and ETF outflows add modest pressure. SVP Jennifer Newstead sold 2,399 shares worth about $815,000, while reports also cited net ETF selling and additional insider transactions. These trades are relatively small compared with Apple’s size but may reinforce valuation concerns.

Apple Profile

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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