Last updated: November 12th, 2025
Apple is an undisputed pioneer in the technology sector, and a mega-cap stock — renowned for becoming the world’s first trillion-dollar company.
A consumer technology manufacturer, Apple is known for its innovation and design, from its trendy Macintosh desktop computers to the revolutionary iPod and iPhone.
Its market capitalisation reached US$1 trillion in 2018, and it made history again in mid-2023 by being the first public company to surpass US$3 trillion.
In October 2025, it reached a US$4 trillion market cap for the first time (Nvidia and Microsoft beat Apple to this milestone).
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Interested in owning a piece of Apple?
Let’s look at the facts surrounding the stock’s performance and show you how to buy Apple shares from Australia.
Above: Apple underperformed the S&P 500 and the ASX500 in the 12 months to October 2025, but has generally outperformed the index since 2019. Zoom out for better long-term context.
How Has Apple Stock Performed?
As of 30 October 2025, Apple is valued at over US$4 trillion and is the third-biggest company in the world by market capitalisation.
The release of iPhone 17 in September helped reinvigorate investor interest after a lacklustre start to 2025.
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Throughout 2023, its share price surged 45% – despite overall revenue remaining flat — reflecting a broader bullish sentiment around US tech stocks.
AAPL was valued around US$190 per share at the close of 2023, and ended 2024 at around US$240.
Although year-to-date it’s done better than Amazon: AAPL has gained over 8% while AMZN is up by 3.72%.
By comparison, NVDA stock has surged over 50% and GOOG lifted by over 43%.
Important!
Apple’s first quarter earnings released in January 2025 showed record revenues (up 4% YoY) for the company, but money generated from iPhone sales missed Wall Street estimates.
The AAPL share price took a nosedive after President Trump’s so-called ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement in April.
Investors were rightly worried about the impact of 54% tariffs on China — where most iPhones are made.
However, the share price started gaining ground again after Trump shared news that phones, computer and chips would be temporarily exempt from certain tariffs.
- In May 2025, the company posted second-quarter revenue of $95.4 billion — a 5% increase from the same time last year. iPhone sales were strong, raking in US$46.84 billion and its earnings-per-share was up 8% to US$1.65.
- In July 2025, its third quarter results saw another record revenue rise of 10% year-over-year, a 12% annual increase in earnings per diluted share — at US$1.57 — and services revenue that also beat analyst expectations.
- In Q4, ended 27 September 2025, Apple hit a new Q4 revenue record of US$102.5 billion (up 8% from Q4 2024). That included a September quarter revenue record for iPhone sales following the release of iPhone 17.
Positive financial results have been achieved despite Apple incurring US$800 million in tariff costs in Q3, and US$1.1 billion in tariff costs in Q4.
The Cupertino-based tech giant’s forecasts are for a further US$1.4 billion financial hit due to tariffs in Q1 of the 2026 fiscal year, which includes the traditionally prosperous holiday sales period.
But it’s still predicting revenues will grow by double digits.
(Related: How To Buy Nvidia Shares In Australia.)
Can AI Keep Apple At The Top?
Bullish forecasts around the AAPL share price — with some analysts setting a 12-month price target as high as US$320 — are predicated on its artificial intelligence (AI) plans and ongoing iPhone demand.
Bank of America Research analyst Wamsi Mohani raised his estimates prior to the company’s Q4 earnings release based on Apple’s AI potential.
But some analysts have questioned its innovation prowess, and investors have been underwhelmed by its AI announcements.
Inflows into blue-chip tech giants have been dominated by AI darling Nvidia, which is the world’s largest company by market cap — becoming the first company to hit a US$5 trillion valuation in October.
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AAPL stock lifted to an all-time high, rising 7% in a day after unveiling Apple Intelligence back in June 2024.
By contrast, in June 2025, it announced its major event for developers — WWDC — that its AI-based overhaul of the Siri voice assistant would be delayed.
Did You Know?
Apple is one of the famous five FAANG stocks, an acronym used to describe the most prominent tech companies (Facebook [now Meta], Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google [now Alphabet]). Dominant big tech stocks are now known as ‘The Magnificent Seven’ and include Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called the WWD “overall a yawner”.
On the Q4’25 earnings call, Apple outlined an expanding investment in AI, with the “vast majority” of its operating expenses driven by research and development.
CEO Tim Cook also indicated he was “open to pursuing M&A” to accelerate Apple’s AI credentials.
Each AAPL share is currently worth just over US$269.
The median 1-year target for Apple’s stock among analysts is US$258.
(Related: How To Buy Tesla Shares In Australia.)
Why Are Some Bullish On Apple?
Facts that emphasise Apple’s strengths are:
- Strong brand recognition and brand loyalty.
- A solid track record of strong performance and pays dividends.
- Reputation for being a known innovator with diversified operations.
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Why Isn’t Everyone A Fan Of Apple?
Facts that point to Apple’s possible decline are:
- Strong competition in smartphone, personal computing, services and smart devices markets.
- Lack of significant new product innovation.
- One of the more expensive US stocks to buy.
- Remains heavily dependent on iPhone sales for earnings.
- Reduced competitiveness triggered by US tariffs.
What Do Apple’s Performance Metrics Say?
Here are the key facts about Apple as of 30th October, 2025:
| P/E Ratio | 40.93 |
| PEGY Ratio | 2.8 |
| Return On Equity (ttm) | 149.81% |
| Shares Outstanding | 14.84B |
| 3-Month Average Volume | 54.77M |
Did You Know?
While the Android operating system is more popular globally, Apple’s iOS smartphones accounts for more than 58% of market share in the US and more than 52% in Oceania — two significant populations.
Frequently Asked Questions About AAPL Stock.
Learn these facts before buying Apple stock.
Has Apple Ever Had A Stock Split?
Yes. The company’s stock has split five times since Apple went public on December 12, 1980. On a split-adjusted basis, the IPO price was $10.
How Much Money Do I Need To Buy Apple Stock?
On 30 October 2025, one Apple share was worth US$269.70, which is around AU$450. However, some share trading platforms make investing in smaller sums via fractional shares possible.
What ETFs Hold A Lot Of Apple Stock?
As one of the top stocks in the S&P500, AAPL features prominently in a number of large-cap, technology-oriented ETFs. Investors can get exposure to Apple via ETFs like:
- Betashares NASDAQ 100 ETF ($NDQ)
- iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN)
- Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK)
Important!
Holding ETFs instead of individual stocks may reduce the complexity of managing your investments while offering diversification benefits, as you’ll have exposure to multiple stocks (and possibly regions or sectors) instead of Apple, Inc. directly.
Does AAPL Pay Dividends?
Yes. Apple has paid out dividends, usually every quarter, since 2012.
Before that, dividend payouts were on hold, as Apple believed reinvesting profits into new projects would make more commercial sense.
Did You Know?
Apple’s competitors in the technology space, Google and Meta, also changed their tune on dividends — issuing their first ever payouts in 2024. Amazon is the only Mag7 tech giant that has never paid out dividends.
How To Buy Apple Stock In 4 Steps.
Australians can invest in Apple by using online share trading apps that provide access to international stock exchanges, including Apple’s NASDAQ exchange.
Here’s a four-step guide to getting started.
1. Set Reasonable Expectations.
Buying and selling shares involves risk. Only risk capital you’re prepared to lose.
Important!
Remember that Apple’s past results do not guarantee future performance. Don’t rely on guides like this one to influence your decision to buy or sell Apple stock.
Before you trade AAPL stocks, create an investment strategy with the help of a professional, ASIC-licensed financial advisor or planner.
2. Understand The Differences In Owning US Stock.
Buying Apple shares in Australia requires exchanging Australian dollars for US dollars, so an unfavourable AUD/USD exchange rate can make your investment more expensive.
Expert Tip.
You will also have to pay foreign exchange fees ranging between 0.5% and 1.5%.
Of course, selling your Apple shares when the US dollar is stronger than the Aussie could increase your realised profits.
Ownership of US stocks like AAPL is handled differently from how many Australians prefer to hold their ASX-listed stocks.
- In Australia, it’s possible to buy shares outright through a CHESS-sponsored broker. Your broker facilitates the trade, but you become the legal owner of the shares. This is recorded by the ASX, which issues you with a holder identification number (HIN). No matter what happens to the brokerage firm/app, your shares are connected to you personally.
- US stocks are sold via a custodial model, where the broker holds the shares on your behalf. You have the same beneficial rights as any other shareholder, receiving capital gains and returns, and can trade the shares as you see fit. A custodial model often enables brokers to offer lower fees and also supports fractional investing — where you can buy a fractional amount of one Apple share.
The third factor is how trading Apple stocks might impact your taxes. You’ll need to:
- Pay a 15% US withholding tax on any dividends you receive from your Apple shares.
- Pay tax to the ATO based on income received (dividends) and capital gains from AAPL stock.
You may be able to offset the foreign tax paid on your Australian tax return — check with your accountant if you’re not sure.
3. Choose A Broker And Sign Up.
US stocks like AAPL are bought and sold through share trading platforms and online brokerages.
If you already have a brokerage account for purchasing ASX-listed shares, check if they also offer access to US markets and, specifically, the NASDAQ, where Apple is listed.
If not, you’ll need to find a broker that does.
Above: Buying AAPL via the easy-to-use desktop interface of eToro.
Here are a few must-haves to look for in a brokerage:
- Registered with ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investments Commission), with an Australian Financial Licence (check the fine print on the app’s website).
- Transparent fees. You must know how much of your capital will get eaten away by brokerage fees. Remember, fees lower your returns.
- Usability and its feature set. Most platforms and apps aim to be user-friendly but have different strengths. What appeals to you will depend on your experience.
How Do Trading Platforms Differ?
You might prefer a platform with a demo account, social/copy trading, or more advanced trading tools. Market orders and limit orders may not be available on all trading platforms, either.
Signing up for a trading account is usually straightforward, but be prepared to satisfy the brokers KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements by providing:
- Your personal details, including your name, contact details and date of birth.
- Your tax file number (TFN).
- A form of ID to verify your details.
- Your bank account number for depositing and withdrawing funds.
- A completed W-8BEN form will be required by the U.S. authorities.
Important!
Completing a W-8BEN form not only ensures compliance with US tax laws, it reduces the amount of tax you’ll pay on dividends from your Apple shares from 30% to 15%. The process for completing and submitting this form varies between apps.
4. Add Funds And Place Your Order.
Next, most brokerage accounts will ask you to:
- Transfer money to cover your purchase into your brokerage account.
- Find ‘AAPL’ or the ticker symbol of the ETF/fund you want to purchase via the app’s search function.
- Check that the current Apple share price is in line with your expectations.
- Enter the number of shares or the amount you want to spend, and select the order type (e.g., you can buy immediately at market rates or set limit or stop-loss orders to trigger the buy at specific price points).
- Hit ‘buy’ to execute the trade. You may have to wait around two days for the transaction to be settled.
It’s Easy to Buy Apple (AAPL) Shares In Australia.
But that doesn’t mean you should.
Apple is a gigantic, valuable company with a strong stock performance history.
But it’s a mistake to invest in any stock expecting guaranteed returns, or without gaining clarity about how the investment potentially supports your financial goals.
Jody
Nelson says:
I attempted to use the “hack” to dodge conversion fees, but sadly after converting AUD to USD on a Wise account, there doesn’t seem to be a way to deposit that money into eToro; i.e. eToro recently disabled Wire transfers and Wise doesn’t support SWIFT transfers for sending USD to a bank in the US?
John Keys says:
CMC Invest are an abysmal in turning around new accounts.
Over 1 month to setup up an account with an investment trust, and still waiting. I was promised 5 business days.
Reg Watson says:
Given that China’s economy is going down the toilet how the heck do we expect an appreciation of the Aussie in 2024 ? We are tied to China.
Regular citizen says:
Unless you can see into the future or time travel, try to refrain from predicting a stronger AUD. It’s now Dec 2025 and contrary to all you top earning ‘economists ‘, the AUD ain’t shit.