Apple is not keeping up with the new enthusiasm showing up in other tech stocks on the most recent Trump tariffs news. This is odd considering that the iPhone maker is the largest single position among all equities in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio. That’s usually a mark of distinction.
The Apple iPhone 16e was launched in February 2025 and replaced a number of older iPhones. It’s peculiar that the stock has dropped in price since then. The ever-changing tariff situation with China – and the company’s reported expanding reliance on India to make the product – have created uncertainty.
To demonstrate the difference between Apple’s stock performance and that of tech stocks in general, here’s the daily price chart of the Technology Select Sector SPDR fund:
Price for the tech ETF is now above both the 50-day and the 200-day moving averages. I’ve red-circled that area on the chart. The fund has 69 holdings in the sector and is widely followed as measure of the group’s performance. From $175 in early April to $225 in mid-May amounts to a 28% move upward in about five weeks.
Now, take a look at the Apple daily price chart:
Note that the stock remains well below the 200-day moving average. Note also that it’s unable to close above the down trending 50-day moving average. This is peculiar considering how strong the tech sector as a whole is – represented in the Tech Select Sector SPDR Fund price chart above.
Consider the free advertising for Apple among Wall Street money managers that Warren Buffett has the stock as its largest holding in the Berkshire Hathaway fund. With the popular new iPhone out and selling, what’s holding investors back from buying more of the stock?
Here’s the daily price chart for Microsoft:
The big tech favorite is well above both the 50-day and the 200-day moving averages. Note how close it is to the December 2024 high. Investors are still in love with this stock.
Here’s the weekly chart for the tech sector ETF:
In the red-circled area you can see that the tech ETF is now above the 50-day moving average and far above the 200-day moving average. It looks as if resistance at just above the $240 level may be tested.
Now, here’s how the Apple weekly price chart looks:
The price in early April dipped below the 200-day moving average and bounced off of it. Nevertheless, the stock has been unable to make it back above the 50-day moving average. Also, Apple is a long way from the late 2024 high of near $260.
The weekly Microsoft price chart is here:
The price never dropped below the 200-day moving average which continues to trend upward. It’s above the 50-day moving average for three straight weeks now. Buyers have moved back in.
Comparing the iPhone maker to tech stocks in general, you have wonder: why are investors reluctant to purchase it with the enthusiasm being shown for the rest of the sector?
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