Apple stock climbed to $273.17 on April 22, gaining 2.36% in a single session as buyers stepped in near the $266 floor. That move played out against a backdrop of unusual activity: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway quietly sold another 115 million AAPL shares in the latest quarter, rekindling questions about one of the most famous long-term bets in modern investing history.

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Previous Close: $266.17 · Day Range: $266.87–$273.74 · 52 Week Range: $193.25–$288.62 · Volume: 43.2M shares · Market Cap: $4.00T

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Berkshire first bought AAPL in Q1 2016; has since executed 26 total transactions with selling dominant since 2022 (StockCircle)
4What happens next
  • Next Berkshire 13-F filing will reveal whether selling has continued or paused

Five data points define where AAPL stands right now.

Field Value
Ticker AAPL
Exchange NASDAQ
Shares Outstanding 14.68B
52 Week High $288.62
52 Week Low $193.25
Average Volume 46.84M shares

What is the prediction for Apple stock?

Analysts remain divided on near-term direction. The table below aggregates recent consensus ratings and price targets across major firms.

Firm Rating / Target Date
Morningstar ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ · $143 fair value 2026
Robinhood Hold · P/E 34.55 2026
Zacks Neutral · $200 target 2026
MarketWatch consensus Hold · $200–$220 2026

The pattern is unmistakable: most mainstream targets cluster between $200 and $220, well below the current $273.17 price. Morningstar’s $143 fair value estimate suggests Apple trades at roughly a 91% premium to intrinsic value, a gap that gives value-focused analysts reason for caution.

The upshot

Current consensus targets sit $50–$75 below where AAPL trades today. The stock would need to pull back to those levels—or fundamentally re-rate upward—to satisfy the typical bull case on Wall Street.

Short-term vs long-term outlook

Short-term momentum is technically bullish: AAPL cleared the $270 level with volume above 43 million shares on April 22. The day’s range of $266.87–$273.74 shows the stock bounced cleanly off the lower bound.

The long-term case hinges on whether Apple’s services revenue and AI feature pipeline can justify a P/E of 34.55. For context, the Nasdaq 100 trades around a 30 forward P/E. At current multiples, AAPL needs sustained earnings growth to avoid multiple compression.

Why is Warren Buffett selling his Apple shares?

Berkshire Hathaway sold 115 million Apple shares in the most recent reported quarter. The reason, widely attributed to tax-planning considerations: with the long-term capital gains rate at 21% amid political uncertainty, Berkshire moved to lock in gains before any potential rate changes.

Berkshire first bought AAPL in Q1 2016, making it one of the most consequential single decisions in Buffett’s career. Since then, the conglomerate executed 26 total AAPL transactions—14 buys and 9 sells—accumulating 228 million shares worth $60.7 billion at cost.

Despite repeated selling, AAPL remains Berkshire’s single largest holding at 22% of the portfolio. The stake cost roughly $11.9 billion; at current prices it is worth approximately $60 billion—a 440% paper gain.

Why this matters

Berkshire’s willingness to sell at the 21% capital gains rate signals that tax optimization is a real priority for Buffett right now. He is not waiting for a perfect exit price—he is taking profits while the rate window is favorable.

Is Apple a buy or sell stock now?

The buy/sell call comes down to which risk you weight more heavily: Apple’s fortress balance sheet and brand moat, or a valuation that sits well above what fundamental analysts consider fair.

Pros and cons analysis

Upsides

  • $4.00T market cap reflects dominant market position
  • Strong cash generation supports buybacks and dividends
  • Brand loyalty creates a durable competitive moat
  • Services segment provides recurring, higher-margin revenue
  • Berkshire has held despite repeated selling—still a core conviction position

Downsides

  • Trading 91% above Morningstar’s $143 fair value estimate
  • P/E of 34.55 exceeds broader market averages
  • Berkshire, the biggest holder, has been a consistent net seller
  • Dividend yield of just 0.39% offers minimal income
  • Analyst consensus price targets well below current price

Current market signals

Looking at technical and sentiment indicators, AAPL sits roughly 5.4% below its 52-week high of $288.62. The stock bounced from a 52-week low of $193.25 in the past year, indicating significant volatility. In the most recent session it gained 2.36%, a move that attracted above-average volume.

The analyst community leans toward restraint: recent consensus across major platforms rates AAPL as a hold, with price targets averaging $200–$220—meaning most professionals see limited upside from here on a 12-month horizon.

What does Jim Cramer say about Apple stock?

A direct, specific Cramer quote on AAPL in the most recent available sources could not be confirmed. Searches of recent financial commentary did not surface a current Cramer price target or rating for Apple.

What is documented: Jim Cramer has historically called Apple a “must-own” stock for long-term investors, praising its ecosystem lock-in and capital-return programs. If his views have shifted materially in recent weeks, those updated statements are not yet indexed in the sources reviewed for this article.

What to watch

Cramer’s “Mad Money” commentary is worth monitoring for any updated AAPL calls. His endorsement historically moves retail sentiment; its absence at current price levels may itself be a signal worth noting.

Is Warren Buffett still buying Apple stock?

Berkshire Hathaway has not been a net buyer of Apple in recent quarters. The conglomerate sold 115 million AAPL shares in Q1 2026, following a pattern of consistent selling that dates back several years. The most recent transaction history shows nine recorded sales since the initial 2016 purchase with no recent buy transactions documented.

Buffett himself said he sold Apple “too soon” and would buy more at lower prices. But the actual transaction record shows Berkshire moved in the opposite direction. The selling is not impulsive—it reflects a deliberate tax strategy and what appears to be a broader portfolio rebalancing.

The paradox

Buffett says he sold too early and would add more at lower levels. Berkshire’s own 13-F filings say otherwise. For investors weighing whether to follow the Oracle’s lead, the gap between his words and his wallet is the most important signal of all.

Looking ahead, three developments will shape whether Berkshire returns to buying: the next quarterly 13-F filing, any pullback in AAPL’s share price that brings valuations closer to fair value, and whether Apple’s earnings growth narrative regains credibility with Berkshire’s analytical team.

Key milestones

  • — Berkshire Hathaway makes first AAPL purchase (StockCircle)
  • — AAPL hits 52-week high of $288.62 (Robinhood)
  • — Berkshire sells 115 million AAPL shares per 10-Q filing (YouTube / Warren Buffett)
  • — AAPL closes at $273.17, up 2.36% on 43.2M shares (Apple Investor Relations)

What we know vs what we don’t

Confirmed

  • AAPL closed at $273.17 on April 22; day range $266.87–$273.74
  • Market cap $4.00T; average volume 46.84M shares
  • Berkshire Hathaway sold 115M shares in most recent reported quarter
  • AAPL 52-week high $288.62; low $193.25
  • Berkshire first bought AAPL in Q1 2016; stake now worth ~$60B on ~$11.9B cost
  • Berkshire owns 1.53% of outstanding Apple stock
  • Most analyst price targets average $200–$220, below current price

Unconfirmed

  • Jim Cramer’s specific current AAPL stance (no confirmed recent quote found)
  • Exact Berkshire post-sale portfolio percentage
  • Whether Berkshire will resume buying in upcoming quarters
  • Whether Apple’s AI features will drive meaningful re-rating

What experts are saying

“Sold a little Apple this year.”

— Warren Buffett, YouTube / Warren Buffett explains (Berkshire Hathaway CEO)

“The boring way to get rich.”

— Elon Musk, commenting on Berkshire Hathaway’s approach

The implication: AAPL at $273 trades well above Morningstar’s $143 fair value, yet Berkshire remains its single largest external shareholder. Buffett is trimming, not exiting—and that distinction matters. For long-term holders, the question is whether Apple’s growth narrative justifies the premium. For new buyers, the gap between current price and consensus targets leaves little margin of safety. The next Berkshire 13-F filing will settle whether the selling has paused or continues.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the biggest stockholder in Apple?

Berkshire Hathaway is Apple Inc.’s largest external shareholder, owning approximately 1.53% of outstanding shares as of the most recent reported quarter. The position has been reduced through repeated sales, but it remains Berkshire’s single largest holding at roughly 22% of its portfolio.

What are the top 5 stocks to buy right now?

Stocks frequently cited in top-buy discussions include Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Amazon (AMZN). Apple appears on these lists due to its market cap, cash position, and buyback program, though valuation concerns keep it controversial at current prices.

What did Elon Musk say about Warren Buffett?

Musk referred to Berkshire Hathaway’s approach as “the boring way to get rich,” a characteristic jab at Buffett’s value-oriented, long-duration investment philosophy. The comment reflects Musk’s preference for high-growth, high-risk bets over Buffett’s steady compounders.

Is Apple stock undervalued today?

No. Morningstar estimates Apple’s fair value at $143 per share; the stock trades around $273—roughly a 91% premium to that intrinsic estimate. This makes Apple appear overvalued by traditional value metrics, though bulls argue the estimate does not adequately price in growth from services and AI features.

What is AAPL 52-week performance?

Apple’s 52-week high stands at $288.62 (December 2025); the 52-week low is $193.25. Currently at $273.17, the stock trades about 5.4% below its 52-week high—a notable pullback that still leaves it well above the low end of its recent range.

How to check live AAPL price?

Live Apple stock quotes are available directly from Apple Investor Relations, as well as platforms like Morningstar and Kraken. Major brokerage apps also provide real-time NASDAQ quotes.

What impacts AAPL stock today?

Key drivers include Berkshire Hathaway’s selling activity (largest shareholder reducing), analyst rating changes, overall tech sector momentum, U.S. Federal Reserve policy signals affecting growth stock valuations, and any new Apple product or services announcements. The stock’s P/E of 34.55 means it is sensitive to changes in investor appetite for growth vs. value.