Apple triggers a storm of cheers!

Apple: Analysts sense buying opportunity

Apple received a total of 28 analyst ratings over the past twelve months.The average rating for the stock is “Buy” and is made up of 22 “Buy”, 4 “Hold” and 2 “Sell” opinions. On a short-term basis, based on the studies available in the past month, the stock is considered a “Buy”. During this period, 6 analysts rated the stock as Buy, 2 as Hold and 0 as Sell. Based on the average of the price forecast of ($176.76) for the security, there is an upside potential of 19.34 percent (based on the last closing price, $148.11), following the analysts’ opinion. This therefore represents a “buy” recommendation. Apple thus receives a “Buy” rating for this section in total.

Interesting sentiment at Apple

The investor sentiment at Apple in the discussion forums and opinion columns of social media is particularly negative overall. This is reflected in the statements and opinions of the past two weeks, which we have evaluated for you to gain another valuation factor for the stock. This showed that negative topics in particular were the focus of discussions in recent days, giving the stock an overall “Sell” rating. Finally, we enriched this form of analysis with concretely calculable trading signals from social media. This revealed 0 Sell and 2 Buy signals. From this picture, in turn, a “Buy” recommendation can be derived at this level. Thus, according to our assessment, a “Hold” is calculated on the point of investor sentiment overall.

How do chart analysts assess the situation?

The moving average price of Apple now stands at $154.6. The share itself has reached a price of 148.11 USD. The distance to the GD200 is thus -4.2 percent, leading to a “hold” rating. In contrast, the GD50 for the past 50 days currently has a level of 146.53 USD. Thus, with +1.08 percent distance, the stock is a “Hold” from this perspective. Thus, we assign an overall rating of “Hold.”

What do shareholders think of Apple?

Apple can also be observed and evaluated over a longer period of time in terms of the number of word contributions (the intensity of discussion) and the rate of change in sentiment. This yields interesting conclusions about the long-term sentiment picture over the past few months. SpecificallyThe stock has generated increased activity on the web in this regard. This indicates a strong intensity of discussion and calls for a “buy” rating. The rate of change in sentiment showed a positive change, corresponding to a “Buy” rating. In the overall assessment, this results in a “Buy” rating for Apple on this point.

Beaten by competitors

The stock has returned 3.44 percent over the past year. Compared to stocks in the same sector (“Information Technology”), this puts Apple 54.04 percent below the average (57.49 percent). The median annual return for securities in the same sector, “Computers & Peripherals,” is 24.27 percent. Apple is currently 20.83 percent below this figure. Due to the underperformance, we rate the stock an overall “Sell” at this level.

There is still room for improvement in the stock

With a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.06, Apple’s stock is valued 78 percent lower than comparable companies in the “Computers & Peripherals” sector (80.54) based on today’s quotes. This ratio in turn signals an undervaluation. This results in a Buy rating from the perspective of fundamental analysis.

Meager dividend yield

Apple currently has a dividend yield of 0.6%, which is lower than the industry average (16%). The difference to comparable stocks from the “Computers & Peripherals” sector is -15.41. Due to this constellation, Apple stock receives a “Sell” rating in this category.