Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. Acquires 55,136 Shares of AppLovin Corporation $APP

Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. increased its stake in shares of AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:APP) by 719.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 62,800 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 55,136 shares during the period. AppLovin accounts for about 1.9% of Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc.’s holdings in AppLovin were worth $45,124,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of APP. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA bought a new position in shares of AppLovin in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AppLovin during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its holdings in AppLovin by 760.0% in the 3rd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 43 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AppLovin in the second quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of AppLovin in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 41.85% of the company’s stock.

AppLovin Price Performance

NASDAQ APP opened at $366.91 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $602.52 and its 200-day moving average is $570.18. The company has a quick ratio of 3.25, a current ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38. AppLovin Corporation has a 12-month low of $200.50 and a 12-month high of $745.61. The company has a market capitalization of $124.00 billion, a PE ratio of 37.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 2.49.

AppLovin (NASDAQ:APP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $3.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.35. AppLovin had a return on equity of 306.49% and a net margin of 57.42%.The company had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.73 EPS. AppLovin’s revenue for the quarter was up 66.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that AppLovin Corporation will post 6.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Key Stories Impacting AppLovin

Here are the key news stories impacting AppLovin this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat on EPS and revenue, with strong margins and raised 2026 revenue guidance — underlying operating metrics were robust. AppLovin press release
• Positive Sentiment: Several sell-side firms reaffirmed or raised targets (Scotiabank raised to $775; Wedbush boosted to $640; Needham and RBC reaffirmed buy/outperform), signaling continued analyst confidence in medium/long-term growth. Scotiabank raise (The Fly)
• Positive Sentiment: Bullish commentary argues the sell-off is an overreaction — analysts and commentators point to high margins, strong free cash flow and buybacks as reasons long-term holders should be constructive. Seeking Alpha bullish take
• Neutral Sentiment: Some firms trimmed price targets (BTIG, Wells Fargo, Piper Sandler, Citi lowered/tweaked targets) but largely kept buy/overweight ratings — mixed signals on near-term upside while conviction remains among many analysts. Analyst moves roundup
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data published in the period appears erroneous (0 shares / NaN changes) — no reliable signal of a short squeeze or coordinated short activity from the reported figures.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the beat, shares plunged as investors flagged AI-related risk, competitive pressure in ad markets and perceived lack of clarity in management’s commentary/guidance — headlines emphasize “AI fears” and “guidance clarity” as the proximate causes of the sell-off. 247WallStreet coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Reports flagged softer-than-expected ad demand and competitive headwinds in ad tech, which weighed on investor confidence despite strong headline numbers. Reuters report

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Dawson Alyssa Harvey sold 150 shares of AppLovin stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $693.32, for a total value of $103,998.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 2,829 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,961,402.28. This trade represents a 5.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Arash Adam Foroughi sold 4,069 shares of AppLovin stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $497.50, for a total value of $2,024,327.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 2,998,948 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,491,976,630. The trade was a 0.14% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 187,786 shares of company stock worth $100,914,925. 13.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on APP. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of AppLovin from $860.00 to $700.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AppLovin in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $705.00 price target on shares of AppLovin and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $650.00 price objective (down previously from $800.00) on shares of AppLovin in a report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of AppLovin from $425.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $651.77.

About AppLovin

AppLovin Corporation is a Palo Alto–based mobile technology company that provides software and services to help app developers grow and monetize their businesses. The company operates a data-driven advertising and marketing platform that connects app publishers and advertisers, delivering tools for user acquisition, monetization, analytics and creative optimization. AppLovin’s technology is integrated into a broad set of mobile applications through software development kits (SDKs) and ad products designed to maximize revenue and engagement for developers.

Key components of AppLovin’s offering include an ad mediation and exchange platform that enables publishers to manage and monetize inventory across multiple demand sources, and a user-acquisition platform that helps advertisers target and scale campaigns.