Vest Financial LLC Boosts Position in Apple Inc. $AAPL

Vest Financial LLC lifted its position in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) by 17.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 322,329 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock after acquiring an additional 48,671 shares during the quarter. Apple accounts for 1.1% of Vest Financial LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Vest Financial LLC’s holdings in Apple were worth $82,075,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Apple by 1,800.0% during the 1st quarter. ROSS JOHNSON & Associates LLC now owns 190 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Nexus Investment Management ULC increased its stake in Apple by 333.3% in the second quarter. Nexus Investment Management ULC now owns 260 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management purchased a new stake in Apple in the fourth quarter worth $65,000. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Apple by 41.0% during the second quarter. Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HFM Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Apple during the first quarter valued at $99,000. 67.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Apple Trading Down 2.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:AAPL opened at $255.78 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Apple Inc. has a 52-week low of $169.21 and a 52-week high of $288.62. The stock has a market cap of $3.76 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.34, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.09. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $266.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $256.48.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The iPhone maker reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.67 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $143.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $138.25 billion. Apple had a net margin of 27.04% and a return on equity of 159.94%. Apple’s quarterly revenue was up 15.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.40 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Apple Inc. will post 7.28 EPS for the current year.

Apple Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 12th. Investors of record on Monday, February 9th were paid a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 9th. Apple’s payout ratio is currently 13.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Apple in a research note on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Apple in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Barclays reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $239.00 price target (up previously from $230.00) on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, January 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $325.00 target price on Apple in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Apple in a report on Friday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $292.13.

Key Stories Impacting Apple

Here are the key news stories impacting Apple this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Apple is rolling out an integrated video‑podcast experience this spring, a direct push into formats dominated by YouTube, Spotify and Netflix that could expand engagement and ad/subscription opportunities for Apple Podcasts. Apple takes on YouTube and Spotify with new video podcasting push
• Positive Sentiment: Apple confirmed a March 4 product event, which typically supports revenue visibility (new devices/accessories) and investor optimism around hardware refreshes. Apple Preps for March 4 Product Launch
• Positive Sentiment: Partner news: Acast will be among the first to distribute video podcasts via Apple Podcasts (HLS), helping accelerate content supply and potential monetization. Acast to Power Video Podcast Distribution on Apple Podcasts via HLS
• Neutral Sentiment: Some analysts still see upside: consensus targets remain well above current levels, framing the recent pullback as a potential buying opportunity if fundamentals hold. Apple (AAPL) Trading 10% Below Analyst Targets After This Week’s 8% Drop
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider/position moves: reports of a Pelosi sale and mixed hedge‑fund positioning are circulating; these are notable for sentiment but not necessarily a change to fundamentals. Nancy Pelosi Sold Apple and Bought This 1 Stock Instead
• Neutral Sentiment: OpenAI delayed its first consumer device to 2027; that eases near‑term competitive hardware headline risk but keeps longer‑term AI device competition on the radar. OpenAI Delays First Consumer Device to 2027
• Negative Sentiment: Execution/AI concerns: reports about delays to Apple’s Siri AI upgrades have triggered investor worry about product roadmap execution and AI competitiveness — a key reason for recent selling pressure. Apple’s Siri shocker is flashing a warning AAPL bulls can’t ignore
• Negative Sentiment: Broader sector weakness: a choppy tech week and rotation (Oracle surge while some Magnificent Seven names fell) has pressured growth multiples, amplifying AAPL’s pullback amid macro/AI spending debates. Oracle Surges 12% While Apple, Amazon Tumble in Choppy Tech Week
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst/market caution pieces (e.g., opinion that the 2026 rally is under threat) are amplifying fear that a sharper correction could occur, pressuring sentiment beyond near‑term fundamentals. Why Apple Stock’s 2026 Rally Is Under Threat

Apple Profile

Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, software and services. Over its history Apple has evolved from personal computers to a broad portfolio that spans mobile devices, wearables, home entertainment and digital services.

Apple’s principal hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet, Mac personal computers, Apple Watch wearable devices and a range of accessories such as AirPods and HomePod.