Avity Investment Management Inc. Sells 12,163 Shares of Apple Inc. $AAPL

Key Points

• Avity Investment Management reduced its Apple stake by 4.7%, selling 12,163 shares and retaining 248,138 shares worth approximately $82.6 million. Apple remains 5.0% of the firm’s portfolio and its second-largest holding.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with Apple receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $340.62; several firms recently raised their targets, including JPMorgan to $360.
• Apple reported quarterly EPS of $2.02 and revenue of $109.42 billion, surpassing estimates, while shares traded near their 52-week high. However, valuation, potential weaker iPhone upgrade demand, and regulatory pressure on Apple Pay remain risks.

Avity Investment Management Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL - Free Report) by 4.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 248,138 shares of the iPhone maker's stock after selling 12,163 shares during the period. Apple accounts for 5.0% of Avity Investment Management Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. Avity Investment Management Inc.'s holdings in Apple were worth $82,635,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Prospect Hill Management LLC purchased a new stake in Apple in the second quarter valued at approximately $146,370,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Apple during the second quarter valued at approximately $168,646,000. Wealthfront Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $482,388,000. Satovsky Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $16,064,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in Apple in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $9,513,000. Institutional investors own 67.73% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AAPL has been the topic of several research reports. DA Davidson restated a "neutral" rating and set a $270.00 price objective on shares of Apple in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Oppenheimer reaffirmed a "market perform" rating on shares of Apple in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Daiwa Securities Group increased their target price on Apple from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Apple from $310.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Apple from $340.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, October 12th. One investment 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $340.62.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Deirdre O'brien sold 46,389 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $333.42, for a total transaction of $15,467,020.38. Following the transaction, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 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 stock was sold at an average price of $332.94, for a total value of $8,460,671.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 59,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,832,236.98. The trade was 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. Insiders have sold a total of 284,454 shares of company stock worth $94,662,594 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the company's stock.

Apple Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AAPL opened at $342.94 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market cap of $5.00 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.33, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.07. The company's fifty day moving average is $326.53 and its 200 day moving average is $307.21. Apple Inc. has a 52 week low of $243.42 and a 52 week high of $348.15.

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, beating 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 business had revenue of $109.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.04 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.57 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 16.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Apple Inc. will post 8.75 earnings per share for the current year.

Apple Dividend Announcement

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

Apple News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong iPhone Duo demand: Preorders for Apple’s $1,999 foldable iPhone reportedly sold out quickly, with delivery estimates extending into January 2027. The robust response supports near-term revenue expectations and strengthens the case for Apple’s foldable-device strategy. Apple’s iPhone Duo Demand Soars as Deliveries Stretch Into January 2027
• Positive Sentiment: New product event announced: Apple will host its “Pro and Tell” event on October 28. Analysts expect new Macs and potentially the company’s first touchscreen MacBook, which could provide a catalyst for Mac growth and investor sentiment. Apple announces product launch event for Oct. 28
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains favorable: Bank of America reiterated a Buy rating with a $370 price target, while JPMorgan maintained its Overweight rating and $360 target, citing healthy demand trends and longer-term AI potential. Apple Maintained at Buy With Unchanged $370 Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider transactions: CFO Kevan Parekh and insider Ben Borders sold shares to cover tax withholding related to vested equity awards. The sales modestly reduced their holdings but do not appear to represent discretionary bearish bets.
• Negative Sentiment: Demand concerns and valuation risk: A KeyBanc survey indicated weaker consumer intentions to upgrade iPhones over the next year, despite better early iPhone 18 interest. With AAPL trading near its 52-week high at a premium earnings multiple, disappointment in future iPhone growth could pressure the stock. Apple Stock Escaped the AI Downturn
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory pressure: UK regulators are reportedly preparing to push Apple to allow alternative default payment services on iPhones, potentially weakening Apple Pay’s ecosystem advantages and services revenue.

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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