Apple is pricier, 2025 could test mettle, Barron’s says

Apple (AAPL) had a bang-up 2024, with its stock skying 30%, extraordinary for a company its size, Andy Serwer writes in this week’s edition of Barron’s. Apple stock has backed off its all-time high of $260 to close the year at $250, but still the valuation of the company is over $3.8 trillion, and shares are within striking distance of $264.63 — which would make Apple the first company ever to be worth $4 trillion. But Apple is exposed to myriad risks, the author notes, adding that Wall Street on the whole isn’t that bullish on the stock, mostly because of its valuation. Tim Cook has made Apple an appealing investment by creating another form of differentiation, which is unparalleled, relentless execution, the publication argues, and that’s powerful enough to make Apple the most valuable company on the planet-and it will likely remain at or near that apex in 2025, and for the rest of Cook’s tenure.