Apple Stock Is Interesting, but Here's What I'd Buy Instead

Group 1: Apple Performance - Apple stock has gained 11.6% over the past six months, outperforming the S&P 500's 5.8% increase [1] - Strong demand for the latest iPhone has driven Apple's revenue in Q1 of fiscal 2026 to nearly $144 billion, a 16% increase year-over-year, with adjusted earnings per share rising by 19% [2] Group 2: Cirrus Logic Performance - Cirrus Logic stock has surged 33% in the past six months, nearly double Apple's gains during the same period [5] - Cirrus Logic's revenue exceeded guidance due to strong demand for smartphone components, resulting in a 4.4% year-over-year revenue increase and an 18% rise in earnings to $2.97 per share [8] - The company is projected to end the fiscal year with a 20% increase in earnings to $9.05 per share, surpassing the S&P 500's estimated average growth of 16% [9] Group 3: Valuation Comparison - Cirrus Logic is currently trading at 19 times earnings, which is a discount compared to the S&P 500's average of 25 times earnings and significantly cheaper than Apple's nearly 35 times earnings [9][10] - Given Cirrus Logic's reliance on Apple for 94% of its revenue, it serves as a proxy for Apple's performance, making it a better value investment [5][10] Group 4: Future Growth Prospects - Analysts predict that Apple could ship up to 250 million iPhones in fiscal 2026, exceeding previous estimates due to a large number of users in the upgrade window [11][12] - The anticipated growth in Cirrus Logic's earnings could lead to a higher earnings multiple in the market, suggesting potential upside for investors [14]