Apple Inc. ($AAPL) Remains Top Holding for Lodestar Despite 1.6% Stake Reduction in Q4

Apple remains a major name in Lodestar Private Asset Management’s portfolio, even after a measured Q4 reduction. The firm trimmed its position by 1.6%, selling 2,293 shares and ending the quarter with 144,022 shares.

That position was valued at $39.15 million in Lodestar’s Form 13F information table for the period ended December 31, 2025. The filing also shows the holding under common stock with sole voting authority, which keeps the position visible inside the firm’s reported equity book.

The timing matters because Apple’s business momentum stayed strong after the filing period. The company reported fiscal Q1 revenue of $143.8 billion, up 16% year over year. Diluted EPS reached $2.84, rising 19% from the prior year. That mix gives the Lodestar move useful context.

Apple Position Shows Selective Rebalancing

Lodestar’s Q4 filing shows Apple remained one of its largest disclosed single-stock positions. The 144,022-share stake carried a reported value of $39,153,753. The reduction was not a full exit. It looked more like position sizing after a strong market period. For readers tracking institutional activity, the key point is simple. A 1.6% cut can reduce exposure without changing the broader portfolio role.

The filing also lists Apple beside other large holdings, including broad ETFs and technology-linked positions. This matters because the manager still kept meaningful exposure to mega-cap technology. Lodestar’s reported portfolio value was about $996.6 million for Q4 2025, based on third-party 13F summaries. In that setting, the company remained a clear portfolio anchor, not a discarded position.

• Lodestar Q4 stake: 144,022 shares.
• Shares sold during the quarter: 2,293.
• Total stake reduction: 1.6%.
• Reported value of holdings: $39.15 million.
• Filing period ended: December 31, 2025.
• SEC filing date: January 27, 2026.

Earnings Data Strengthened the Bigger Picture

Revenue, iPhone, and margins led the story

Apple delivered a strong fiscal Q1 after Lodestar’s reporting period closed. Revenue reached $143.8 billion, while EPS hit $2.84. The company said the quarter set all-time records for total revenue and EPS. It also reported more than 2.5 billion active devices, giving its services and hardware ecosystem more scale. That installed base remains central to the company’s business model.

The iPhone was the largest driver. Reported iPhone sales reached about $85.3 billion, up 23% year over year. Greater China sales rose 38% to $25.5 billion, showing a sharp rebound in a closely watched region. Management also guided for 13% to 16% sales growth in the next quarter. It pointed to gross margins between 48% and 49%, keeping profitability in focus.

Key operating points include:

• Fiscal Q1 revenue rose 16% to $143.8 billion.
• EPS increased 19% to $2.84.
• iPhone revenue climbed 23% to about $85.3 billion.
• Greater China revenue jumped 38% to $25.5 billion.
• Active devices passed 2.5 billion worldwide.

Stock, Capital Return, and Market Data

Price and valuation stayed elevated

Apple stock closed at $298.21 on May 14, 2026. Its 52-week range stood between $193.46 and $300.92. Market capitalization was listed near $4.38 trillion, with a P/E ratio of 36.06. Those figures show how much growth and execution the market had already priced into the stock. They also explain why some institutions may rebalance after gains.

Capital return also stayed large. On April 30, 2026, the board approved a $0.27 quarterly dividend, up 4%. That dividend was payable on May 14, 2026, to holders of record on May 11. The board also authorized up to $100 billion in additional share repurchases.

Intel Deal Adds Strategic Supply Chain Context

Apple also gained attention after reports of a preliminary chip-making agreement with Intel. The Wall Street Journal, reported on May 8, 2026, that Intel would manufacture some chips for Apple devices. The report said the U.S. government played a role in encouraging talks, as officials pushed more domestic chip production.

The strategic angle is clear. Apple has relied heavily on TSMC for advanced chip manufacturing. Adding Intel could reduce supply concentration over time. It could also help the company manage wafer capacity pressure as AI demand strains foundry supply. The product scope remains unclear, so the near-term impact should stay measured. Still, the report adds another reason why institutional holders are watching the company closely.

Insider and Institutional Signals

Institutional ownership remained high, with about 67.73% of shares held by institutions. The broader ownership picture was mixed. Some firms added exposure, including Sterling Investment Counsel, VCI Wealth Management, and Belpointe Asset Management. Others reduced or exited positions. Lodestar’s 1.6% trim sits inside that wider pattern of portfolio adjustment.

Insider activity also drew attention. SEC filings show Tim Cook sold multiple blocks on April 2, 2026, under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The combined April 2 sale totaled 64,949 shares. CFO Kevan Parekh sold 1,534 shares at $275 on April 23, 2026, also under a prearranged plan. These transactions were disclosed filings, not hidden events.

Conclusion

Apple stayed important to Lodestar despite the Q4 trim. The 1.6% reduction lowered the share count, but the remaining 144,022 shares still represented a large reported position. At the same time, the company delivered record revenue, higher EPS, strong iPhone demand, and a larger capital return plan. The Intel report added another strategic layer around chip supply.

Disclaimer

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.