The latest 1248 Management Apple stock filing shows the fund quietly increasing its exposure to the iPhone maker, reinforcing the view that large investors remain confident in Apple’s long‑term earnings power.
Key Points
In its most recent 13F report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, 1248 Management LLC disclosed that it lifted its Apple position by 25.4% in the second quarter. The move comes as Apple continues to post robust profitability, return cash via dividends, and attract overwhelmingly positive ratings from Wall Street analysts.
While the purchase is modest compared with the tech giant’s multi‑trillion‑dollar market value, it adds one more data point to the story of deep institutional interest in Apple shares.
1248 Management Apple Stock Position Jumps 25%
According to the filing, 1248 Management Apple stock holdings rose to 48,545 shares by the end of the second quarter, up from 38,709 shares previously. The fund bought an additional 9,836 shares during the period, boosting its stake by 25.4%.
At quarter‑end prices, the 1248 Management Apple stock position was valued at approximately $9.96 million. Apple now represents about 3.7% of the fund’s overall portfolio, making it the eighth‑largest holding for the firm.
For a diversified manager, dedicating a mid‑single‑digit percentage of assets to a single stock typically signals a meaningful level of conviction. The increased 1248 Management Apple stock allocation suggests the firm views Apple as a core holding rather than a short‑term trading position.
Institutional Investors Deepen Their Apple Exposure
The 1248 Management Apple stock increase fits into a broader pattern: large institutions continue to own a substantial share of Apple’s float.
Other major investors also added to positions in the second quarter. Vanguard Group lifted its Apple stake by 1.1%, bringing its holdings to more than 1.41 billion shares, worth roughly $290.5 billion. State Street Corporation raised its position by 0.9% to about 601.2 million shares, while Geode Capital Management increased its holdings by 1.4% to roughly 354.7 million shares.
One notable addition came from Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC, which significantly expanded its Apple ownership, and Norges Bank, which initiated a new position in the quarter.
Taken together, these moves mean that institutional investors now control about 67.73% of Apple’s outstanding stock. Against that backdrop, the higher 1248 Management Apple stock stake underscores that professional money managers continue to see Apple as a central piece of equity portfolios.
Apple Stock Performance and Fundamentals
The environment in which 1248 Management Apple stock buying occurred has been generally favorable for shareholders.
Apple shares recently opened at $278.28, not far from their 52‑week high of $288.62 and well above the 52‑week low of $169.21. The stock’s 50‑day simple moving average stands at $268.24, with a 200‑day average of $237.03, reflecting a strong upward trend over recent months.
Based on current pricing, Apple carries a market capitalization of about $4.11 trillion. Key valuation metrics include a price‑to‑earnings ratio of 37.25, a PEG ratio of 2.60, and a beta of 1.10, signaling modestly higher volatility than the broader market. The company’s balance sheet metrics show a debt‑to‑equity ratio of 1.06, with a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.89.
Apple’s most recent quarterly results, reported on October 30, offered more support for investors increasing their stakes. The company delivered earnings per share of $1.85, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.11. Net margin remained strong at 26.92%, and return on equity reached an eye‑catching 164.05%.
Revenue for the quarter came in at $102.47 billion, slightly above expectations of $101.65 billion and up 8.7% year over year. In the same quarter a year earlier, Apple posted EPS of $1.64, underscoring ongoing earnings growth.
Sell‑side forecasts call for Apple to generate about $7.28 in earnings per share for the current year, a backdrop that helps explain why the 1248 Management Apple stock position gained prominence within the fund’s portfolio.
Dividend Policy Adds to Apple’s Appeal
Beyond growth, Apple continues to return cash to shareholders through dividends. The company recently paid a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share on November 13 to shareholders of record as of November 10.
On an annualized basis, that payout totals $1.04 per share, which works out to a dividend yield of around 0.4% at recent prices. Apple’s dividend payout ratio of 13.92% leaves significant room for continued reinvestment in the business, share repurchases, or potential future increases in the dividend.
For institutions such as 1248 Management, Apple’s combination of earnings growth and a steady, sustainable dividend stream can make the stock an attractive long‑term holding.
Insider Selling Offers a Counterpoint
While firms like 1248 Management increased their Apple stock exposure, some company insiders have been trimming positions.
In mid‑October, Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh sold 4,199 Apple shares at an average price of $247.39, a transaction totaling about $1.04 million. Following the sale, he retained 8,765 shares, representing a 32.39% reduction in his direct holdings.
On November 7, insider Chris Kondo sold 3,752 shares at an average price of $271.23, for proceeds of roughly $1.02 million. After this transaction, he continued to own 15,098 shares, a 19.90% decrease in his stake.
Over the last 90 days, insiders collectively sold 228,052 shares, valued at approximately $58.6 million. Even so, corporate insiders hold just 0.06% of Apple’s outstanding stock, far less than the institutional share.
Insider selling can occur for many reasons, including diversification or personal financial planning, so investors typically weigh these moves alongside broader signals like institutional buying and company fundamentals.
Analysts Remain Broadly Positive on Apple
Equity analysts continue to view Apple favorably. Several major firms recently reiterated or upgraded their views, contributing to a positive backdrop for institutional buyers such as 1248 Management increasing Apple stock positions.
The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating, while Seaport Research Partners upgraded Apple to “strong‑buy.” Cowen also maintained a “buy” outlook. Robert W. Baird set a $300 price objective, and Jefferies Financial Group raised its stance from “underperform” to “hold,” lifting its price target from $203.07 to $246.99.
In total, two analysts currently rate Apple as a Strong Buy, 23 assign a Buy rating, 11 recommend Hold, and one lists the stock as a Sell. According to aggregated data, the consensus rating stands at “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target near $282.51.
That mix of opinions suggests analysts expect further upside, though not without acknowledging valuation considerations after Apple’s substantial run‑up.
What the 1248 Management Apple Stock Move Signals for Investors
For market watchers, the 1248 Management Apple stock increase is one more indication that large investors are willing to add to positions even with shares near record highs. Making Apple the fund’s eighth‑largest holding and allocating about 3.7% of its portfolio to the stock suggests a view that Apple remains a cornerstone growth and cash‑generation story.
At the same time, insider selling and a premium valuation remind investors that expectations are already elevated. The balance between robust institutional demand and occasional insider trimming captures the debate over how much future growth is priced into the shares.
Ultimately, the expanded 1248 Management Apple stock stake underscores a broader trend: Apple continues to be treated as a core holding by a wide swath of institutional investors, supported by strong earnings, disciplined capital returns, and a generally favorable analyst backdrop. How that positioning plays out will depend on Apple’s ability to sustain growth across its hardware, software, and services ecosystem in the quarters ahead.
