Institutional investors are reshuffling their positions in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) following the company’s recent earnings beat and ongoing dividend payouts. The latest Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filings reveal that Integrity Wealth Solutions LLC reduced its stake in the iPhone maker by 6.3% during the fourth quarter.
The firm sold 1,035 shares, lowering its total holdings to 15,522 shares valued at approximately $3.89 million by the end of the reporting period. Despite the reduction, Apple still represents 2.2% of Integrity Wealth’s investment portfolio, making it the fund’s 13th largest position.
Institutional Movements: Bullish and Bearish Adjustments
While Integrity Wealth trimmed its position, several large institutional investors increased their Apple exposure, signaling continued confidence in the tech giant.
- Nilsine Partners LLC boosted its stake by 14.9%, purchasing an additional 27,973 shares, bringing its total to 215,098 shares valued at $53.87 million.
- Berkshire Bank lifted its position by 2.7%, adding 2,360 shares for a total of 89,580 shares worth $22.43 million.
- Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC also increased its Apple holdings by 2.7%, acquiring 1,321 additional shares to reach 50,810 shares valued at $12.72 million.
- Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA raised its position by 1.7%, acquiring 6,682 additional shares, bringing its total holdings to 404,041 shares worth $101.18 million.
- Foundations Investment Advisors LLC grew its Apple position by 6.3%, adding 21,507 shares, with total holdings valued at $90.93 million.
Institutional investors now collectively own 67.73% of Apple’s outstanding shares.
Apple’s Stock Performance and Financials
Apple’s stock opened at $218.27 on Friday, with a market capitalization of $3.28 trillion. The company carries a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 34.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44, and a beta of 1.18, reflecting moderate volatility compared to the broader market.
The company’s latest earnings report, released on January 30th, exceeded expectations. Apple posted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.40, beating the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.04. The company recorded a return on equity of 160.83% and a net margin of 24.3%, demonstrating its robust profitability.
Dividend and Shareholder Returns
Apple recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $1.00 with a yield of 0.46%. The dividend was paid on February 13th to shareholders of record as of February 10th. The company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) stands at 15.87%, indicating room for future dividend growth.
Analyst Ratings and Price Targets
Apple has garnered mixed analyst ratings despite its dominant market position.
- Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target from $240 to $260, assigning an “Outperform” rating.
- Evercore ISI lifted its target from $260 to $275, also giving an “Outperform” rating.
- Monness Crespi & Hardt increased its target to $245 with a “Buy” rating.
- Wedbush reiterated an “Outperform” rating with a bullish $325 price target.
- TD Cowen maintained a “Buy” rating.
Overall, four analysts have issued a “Sell” rating, ten recommend “Hold”, twenty-one rate it as a “Buy”, and two give it a “Strong Buy”. The average price target for Apple is $243.65, suggesting potential upside from current levels.
Outlook: Long-Term Growth Potential
Despite short-term volatility, Apple remains a cornerstone holding for institutional investors. Its strong brand loyalty, consistent profitability, and steady dividend growth continue to make it an attractive long-term investment. With analysts raising their price targets and institutional investors expanding their positions, Apple’s stock could see further upside potential in 2025.
