Apple(US:AAPL) Feng Huang Wang·2025-07-15 00:34Core Viewpoint - Apple is under market pressure to significantly adjust its corporate strategy to revitalize its struggling AI business, as investors express disappointment over the company's stock price drop and unmet AI functionality expectations [1]. Group 1: Market Pressure and Stock Performance - Apple's stock has declined by 16% this year, resulting in a market value loss of over $640 billion, which has led to investor calls for a major acquisition to enhance its AI capabilities [1]. - Investors are particularly concerned about Apple's failure to deliver compelling AI features within its extensive device ecosystem, while competitors like Meta are making substantial investments in AI [1]. Group 2: Potential Acquisitions - There are indications that Apple is considering acquisition opportunities, including discussions about acquiring AI startup Perplexity AI, which recently raised funds at a valuation of $14 billion [2]. - Analyst Dan Ives suggests that acquiring Perplexity would be a logical move for Apple, noting that even a $30 billion acquisition would be minor compared to the potential monetization opportunities in AI [2]. Group 3: Talent Acquisition Strategies - There is a call for Apple to adopt a more aggressive talent acquisition strategy similar to Meta's, which has been actively recruiting AI experts with lucrative compensation packages [3]. - Apple has significant financial resources, holding $133 billion in cash and securities as of March, which is nearly double that of Meta's balance sheet [3]. Group 4: Management Changes and Strategic Actions - Reports indicate that Apple is preparing for a major management overhaul, which some analysts believe is necessary for the company's future growth and AI strategy [4]. - Analysts emphasize that bold actions are required for Apple to address its lag in the AI sector, which could fundamentally alter its long-term growth trajectory [4][5].