Who Owns Apple

Core Insights - Apple generated $391 billion in annual revenue and $94 billion in profit in fiscal year 2024, making it the world's most valuable brand and largest technology company by revenue [1] - The company operates 512 retail stores in 23 countries and has a strong market presence in the US, with 40 stores in the UK as of March 2025 [1][2] - Apple released around 30 new products in 2024, including the iPhone 16 and iPad Pro M4, which feature significant upgrades to retain customer loyalty and boost sales [3] Company Overview - Apple Inc. is a public company listed on the NYSE under the AAPL symbol, owned by its shareholders, with Tim Cook as CEO since March 2025 [2] - The company generated $201.18 billion from iPhone sales, $37 billion from wearables, $30 billion from Mac, and $26.69 billion from iPad in 2024 [6] - Apple's services segment, including Apple Music and Apple TV+, generated $96.2 billion in 2024, accounting for 25% of total revenue [6] Market Position - Apple's iOS holds a 27.65% global market share in mobile operating systems, significantly outperforming Android in the US and several other countries [3] - The iPhone is Apple's top revenue generator, contributing 51% of total revenue in 2024, with over 1.38 billion users worldwide [7] Business Strategy - Apple plans to invest $600 billion in the US over four years and hire 20,000 people, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities domestically [4] - The company has committed to a $100 billion investment in America to mitigate risks from geopolitical challenges, such as the US-China tariff war [3][4] Shareholder Structure - As of September 2025, Apple had approximately 14.9 billion shares outstanding, with institutional investors owning 63.86% of the company [9] - Apple has returned over $945 billion to shareholders since 2012 through buybacks and dividends, with a plan to return $100 billion in 2025 [19] Historical Context - Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, and went public in 1980, extending ownership to external investors [5][12] - The company has undergone five stock splits since its IPO, with the most recent being a 4-for-1 split in August 2020 [12]