Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Stock Position Boosted by Bensler LLC

Bensler LLC boosted its holdings in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 136,273 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,725 shares during the quarter. Apple comprises 4.1% of Bensler LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Bensler LLC’s holdings in Apple were worth $34,125,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AAPL. Bull Oak Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Apple by 252.3% in the third quarter. Bull Oak Capital LLC now owns 155 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc grew its position in Apple by 88.9% in the 3rd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 306 shares of the iPhone maker’s stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda acquired a new position in Apple in the 3rd quarter valued at $71,000. Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America purchased a new position in Apple during the 3rd quarter worth $77,000. Finally, ARK Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Apple in the 3rd quarter worth $110,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.73% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AAPL. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Apple to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 20th. Moffett Nathanson reissued a “sell” rating and set a $188.00 target price (down from $202.00) on shares of Apple in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Argus upgraded Apple to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Apple to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Apple from $183.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $243.65.

Apple Price Performance

Apple stock opened at $218.27 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.28 trillion, a P/E ratio of 34.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.18. Apple Inc. has a 12-month low of $164.08 and a 12-month high of $260.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $231.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $233.33.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The iPhone maker reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.04. Apple had a net margin of 24.30% and a return on equity of 160.83%. Equities analysts predict that Apple Inc. will post 7.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Apple Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. Apple’s dividend payout ratio is currently 15.87%.

Apple Company Profile

Apple Inc designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; Mac, a line of personal computers; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and wearables, home, and accessories comprising AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, and HomePod.