Apple, Inc. (AAPL) stock has held up well over the last month despite a tech sell-off. Based on its strong free cash flow (FCF) and FCF margins, AAPL could still be worth 17% more. Moreover, selling short out-of-the-money (OTM) put options over the last month has worked well. AAPL stock is at $277.90 in morning trading on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. That is up slightly (+2.785%) from a month ago, when it closed at $270.37 on Oct. 31. More News from Barchart AAPL stock - last 3 months - Barchart - As of Dec. 1, ...

It's important that anyone selling puts understands that they may be assigned 100 shares at the strike price. For Apple stock, a trader selling the Oct. 31 put with a strike price of 260 will generate around $190 in premium per contract. The put has a delta of 24, which means there is an estimated 76% chance that it will expire worthless. BREAKING: Stocks Rumble Higher As PayPal, UnitedHealth Rally Apple (AAPL) stock is set to report earnings on Thursday after the closing bell and the options market is pric ...

Core Insights - Apple has not been a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, which is surprising given its dominant position in the tech industry. This is reflected in its share price, which has only increased by 3% in 2025, leading to investor anticipation for positive news from management [1][8]. Financial Performance - Apple is set to report its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter results on October 30, which ended on September 27. Investors are considering whether to buy the stock before this announcement [2]. - The company's shares are currently trading at a high price-to-earnings ratio of 38.9, indicating a rich valuation. This suggests that the stock may not be a smart buy at present, especially given the deceleration in Apple's growth over the past three years [3][8]. Market Expectations - If Apple reports results and guidance that exceed Wall Street analysts' estimates, there is a strong possibility that the shares will rise. However, predicting both the company's performance and the market's reaction remains highly uncertain [4]. - Investors are advised not to rush into purchasing Apple shares before the earnings report, and any investment decision should consider a minimum five-year holding period [5]. Competitive Landscape - Apple's revenue growth has slowed in recent quarters, making it increasingly challenging for the company to achieve significant growth. Additionally, it has fallen behind its peers in AI innovation [8]. - Notably, the Motley Fool Stock Advisor team has identified ten stocks that they believe are better investment opportunities than Apple at this time [6][8].

Core Insights - Apple stock is part of the "magnificent seven," indicating its growth has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade [1] - A $10,000 investment in Apple stock a decade ago would be worth approximately $100,000 today, assuming dividends were reinvested [3] - To achieve a modest retirement income of $40,000 per year, an investor would need a portfolio of around $1 million, which could be reached by investing $100,000 in Apple stock and benefiting from stock splits and reinvested dividends [6] Investment Performance - In 2015, Apple stock was trading between $24 and $25 per share, and several stock splits have significantly increased returns for long-term shareholders [2] - The investment of $10,000 would have allowed the purchase of around 416 shares, leading to substantial growth over the decade [3] Retirement Funding - While $100,000 could provide a supplementary fund, it would not be sufficient for full retirement, as withdrawing 4% would yield only $4,000 annually [4][5] - A portfolio of approximately $1 million would be necessary to generate a modest yearly income, highlighting the need for diversified investments beyond Apple stock [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The dilemma revolves around the decision to hold or sell a significant portion of Apple shares inherited from a mother, weighing emotional ties against financial strategy [2][4][5]. Investment Strategy - The overall investment portfolio is valued at approximately $600,000, with Apple shares constituting about 50% of this portfolio [2]. - The broader investment strategy focuses on dividend-paying ETFs across various sectors, with a retirement horizon of 10 years [2]. Performance and Risks - Apple stock has shown strong performance overall, despite some dips, and has recently climbed in value [3]. - Concerns exist regarding potential downturns in the tech sector or company-specific issues that could significantly impact the portfolio [4]. - The annual dividend from Apple shares amounts to about $1,000, which is relatively low compared to the overall investment [3]. Emotional Considerations - The emotional connection to the Apple shares is significant, as they represent financial security for the mother, who purchased them at around $8 per share [4]. - There is a sense of disloyalty associated with the idea of selling even a portion of the shares inherited from the mother [4]. Investment Philosophy - Holding 50% of the portfolio in a single stock like Apple requires strong belief in the company's future performance [8]. - Concentrating a large portion of investments in one company is generally considered risky, as it can lead to substantial losses or significant gains [9].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are focused on the potential of Apple stock amid the rise of artificial intelligence and the company's challenges in this area [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Apple is currently facing scrutiny due to its lagging advancements in artificial intelligence [1] - The impacts of tariffs are also a significant concern for the company [1] Group 2: Market Sentiment - There is a growing discussion among investors regarding the future prospects of Apple stock in the context of AI developments [1]

Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc. is facing significant market challenges due to new tariffs affecting its supply chain in China, Vietnam, and India, leading to a substantial decline in its stock price and market value [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Apple shares have dropped 19% since the announcement of new tariffs, marking the worst three-day performance since 2001, resulting in a loss of over $637 billion in market value [2]. - The CBOE Apple VIX has surged to levels not seen since September 2020, indicating increased market volatility and concern among investors [6]. Group 2: Financial Outlook - The introduction of tariffs has created a dilemma for Apple, forcing the company to choose between raising prices or accepting reduced profits, which poses a significant challenge [3]. - Analysts are cautious about Apple's near-term outlook, focusing on the potential impact of tariffs and a slowdown in growth markets on the company's financial health [4]. Group 3: Valuation Metrics - Apple's current valuation stands at approximately 23.5 times forward earnings, the lowest in over two years, although still slightly above the 10-year average [7]. - The price-to-free-cash-flow ratio is at 27.97x, down from a five-year high of 38.60x, indicating a correction in valuation concerns amid tariff-related risks [7][8]. Group 4: Potential Recovery - A resolution to the tariff situation could lead to a relief rally for Apple, similar to past exemptions secured during previous administrations [9]. - Investors may consider buying Apple stock at its corrected valuation, with exposure also available through Apple-heavy ETFs to mitigate company-specific risks [10][11].