Apple, Inc. (AAPL), currently the world's largest company by market value, designs, manufactures, and sells a wide range of consumer technology devices including smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and wearables. Some of its best-known products include the flagship iPhone brand, and also the iPad and Mac lines. Apple is expanding its service revenue by dramatically growing its cloud services business, and by selling streaming entertainment like Apple TV+ and Apple Music.
The top shareholders of Apple are Arthur Levinson, Tim Cook, Jeff Williams, Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock Inc. (BLK), and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A).
Apple's 12-month trailing revenue and net income are $268 billion and $57.2 billion, respectively. The company's market cap currently is nearly $1.7 trillion. All figures are as of July 13, 2020.
Below, we'll look at Apple's top six shareholders in more detail.
"Insider" refers to people in senior management positions and members of the board of directors, as well as people or entities that own more than 10% of the company's stock. In this context, it has nothing to do with insider trading.
Top 3 Individual Insider Shareholders
Arthur Levinson
ArthurLevinson owns 4,592,140 shares of Apple stock as of Dec. 28, 2020. Levinson has been the chair of the board ofApple since 2011, and a co-lead director since 2005, having originally joined in 2000. In his role as director, Levinson has served on all three board committees: audit and finance, nominating and corporate governance, and compensation.
Levinson is a former chair of biotech company Genentech Inc. and is the founder and current CEO of biotech company Calico.
Tim Cook
Tim Cook owns 837,374 shares of Apple stock, representing 0.02% of all outstanding shares. Cook rose to CEO of Apple in 2011 after the death of founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs. Cook, who arrived at Apple in 1998, was the chief operating officer, responsible for all worldwide sales and operations.
Cook also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships. Prior to joining Apple, Cook was Vice President for Corporate Materials for Compaq, and Director of North American fulfillment for IBM.
Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Apple, owns 489,260 shares of Apple stock as of Dec. 28, 2020. Mr. Williams, 57, oversees Apple’s global operations and the development of Apple Watch and Apple's health initiatives. After joining Apple in 1998, Mr. Williams held previous positions that included Senior VicePresident, Operations, and Head of Worldwide Procurement. Before joining Apple, Mr. Williams worked in a number of roles at IBM from 1985 to 1998.
Apple briefly became the world's first $3 trillion company during intraday trading on Jan. 3, 2022. The iPhone maker also holds the distinction of being the world's first company to reach $1 trillion and $2 trillion.
Top 3 Institutional Shareholders
The top three institutional investors own—in total—slightly more than 20% of the outstanding common stock outstanding for Apple as of Dec. 28, 2020.
Vanguard Group Inc.
Vanguard Group owns more than 1.3 billion shares of Apple, representing 7.83% of total shares outstanding, as of Dec. 28, 2020. Vanguard is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with about $6.2 trillion in global assets under management (AUM).
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is one of the company's largest exchange traded funds (ETFs) with about $636 billion in net assets. Apple is the number one holding, comprising 6.7% of the VOO portfolio as of Dec. 31, 2020.
BlackRock Inc.
BlackRock owns 1.11 billion shares of Apple, representing 6.60% of total shares outstanding. BlackRock is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with approximately $8.67 trillion in AUM as of Dec. 31, 2020.
The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is among one of BlackRock's largest ETFs with more than $251 billion in net assets as of Feb. 5, 2021. Apple is the second-largest holding, comprising 6.70% of the IVV portfolio.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Berkshire Hathaway owns more than 1 billion shares of Apple, representing 5.96% of total shares outstanding, as of Dec. 28, 2020. Led by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company with investments in a broad range of industries including insurance, railroads, gas and electric utilities, and more.
The company, which reported over $30 billion in earnings as of Sept. 30, 2020, also holds a sizable portfolio of equity securities valued at hundreds of billions of dollars.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the intricate web of corporate dynamics, financial markets, and technology landscapes, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to shed light on the multifaceted world of Apple Inc. My extensive knowledge encompasses the company's historical trajectory, its key players, and the intricate tapestry of its financial standing.
Now, diving into the details of the provided article on Apple, Inc.:
1. Apple's Business Overview: Apple Inc. stands as the world's largest company by market value, renowned for its design, manufacture, and sale of a diverse array of consumer technology devices. From smartphones, tablets, and personal computers to wearables, the company's product portfolio is a testament to its innovation and market dominance.
2. Revenue and Financial Standing: As of July 13, 2020, Apple's 12-month trailing revenue and net income stood at an impressive $268 billion and $57.2 billion, respectively. The company's market capitalization at that time reached a staggering $1.7 trillion, solidifying its position as an industry giant.
3. Service Revenue Expansion: Beyond hardware, Apple strategically expanded its service revenue by venturing into cloud services and streaming entertainment. Apple TV+ and Apple Music emerged as significant contributors to the company's diversified revenue streams.
4. Top Shareholders: The article highlights the top shareholders who exert considerable influence over Apple's strategic decisions and direction. These shareholders include Arthur Levinson, Tim Cook, Jeff Williams, Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
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Arthur Levinson: Holding 4,592,140 shares as of December 28, 2020, Levinson serves as the Chair of the Board and has been an integral part of Apple since 2000. His extensive background includes leadership roles in biotech companies such as Genentech Inc. and Calico.
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Tim Cook: With 837,374 shares, Cook succeeded Steve Jobs as CEO in 2011. Cook's journey at Apple began in 1998, where he played crucial roles in operations and strategic relationships, previously working with Compaq and IBM.
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Jeff Williams: As the Chief Operating Officer, Williams owns 489,260 shares and oversees global operations, Apple Watch development, and health initiatives. His tenure at Apple, starting in 1998, involved key roles such as Senior Vice President of Operations.
5. Institutional Shareholders: The article further delves into the institutional side of ownership, highlighting the top three institutional investors with a cumulative ownership of slightly over 20% of Apple's outstanding common stock as of December 28, 2020.
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Vanguard Group Inc.: Holding more than 1.3 billion shares (7.83% of total shares outstanding), Vanguard is a major player in mutual funds and ETF management. Apple constitutes a significant portion of their portfolio, particularly in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.
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BlackRock Inc.: With 1.11 billion shares (6.60% ownership), BlackRock, another giant in mutual funds and ETFs, showcases Apple as a prominent holding, notably in the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF.
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Berkshire Hathaway Inc.: Led by Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway owns over 1 billion shares (5.96% ownership). This diversified holding company, with a broad investment portfolio, solidifies Apple's presence in their holdings.
In conclusion, Apple Inc.'s narrative extends far beyond its iconic devices, intertwining with influential figures, strategic decisions, and the financial realms of both individual and institutional investors. The intricate dance of leadership, innovation, and financial prowess propels Apple to its zenith in the global business arena.
