We recently compiled a list of the ChatGPT Stock Advice: 10 Recent Stock Recommendations. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands against the other stocks recommended by ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has quickly become an essential tool for both professional and personal use, thanks to its human-like responses. Analysts are also exploring its potential for stock picking, using criteria like low P/E ratios to find undervalued stocks. While some question the reliability of ChatGPT for providing accurate and up-to-date information, a study from the University of Florida suggests that ChatGPT can predict stock price movements more accurately than some basic analysis models.
OpenAI recently made a major leap by launching GPT-4o, a new AI model, alongside a desktop version of ChatGPT and an updated user interface. This update brings GPT-4 to all users, including those on the free tier, with enhanced speed and capabilities in text, video, and audio. The “o” in GPT-4o stands for “omni,” indicating its ability to support 50 languages and be available via APIs, allowing developers to start building applications with the new model right away.
The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are on track for their tenth consecutive positive session, driven by the same bullish factors that have propelled the market throughout the year. Inflation continues to trend downward, raising expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September. This potential for rate cuts supports the market by fostering conditions that could lead to a soft economic landing.
Ed Clissold, Ned Davis Research chief U.S. strategist, told CNBC that quarterly earnings growth has consistently accelerated over the past few quarters, with Q2 showing strong results and Q3 expected to follow suit. This steady growth suggests no significant changes in the underlying market thesis, keeping investor sentiment positive.
Despite the recent volatility seen in August, which was partly driven by a spike in market uncertainty and liquidity issues, analysts do not expect this to carry over into September. The possibility of rate cuts by the Fed is providing a solid foundation for the market, though there are some concerns about elevated earnings estimates for Q3 and the upcoming election.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is close to an all-time high, with stocks like Travelers, Boeing, and 3M leading the charge. Analysts predict a broad market advance, with potential for catch-up in sectors that have lagged behind this year. As interest rates are likely to come down, the market rally could broaden beyond just AI and mega-cap growth stocks.
Looking ahead to next week, key economic data will be in focus, including PCE data on Friday and consumer spending insights on Tuesday. Investors are hoping for “Goldilocks” economic data—not too hot, not too cold—that would confirm the Fed’s rate cut path without signaling an economic downturn. The market favors moderate economic growth, which would support continued stock market gains.
In a world overwhelmed by information, ChatGPT offers a solution for investors. Its natural language processing capabilities allow it to sift through vast amounts of data and provide concise, actionable summaries, helping investors make informed decisions. By reducing information costs and democratizing financial knowledge, ChatGPT is becoming an invaluable tool for individual investors.
Our Methodology
For this article we prompted ChatGPT multiple times to recommend stocks, based on the data as of its knowledge cutoff date. ChatGPT recommended 10 stocks based on “historical trends” and the “market landscape” from various sectors which have “substantial” potential over the next few years. We shortlisted the stocks that were recommended the most and then further selected the ones that were the most widely held by hedge funds. We have sorted these stocks based on the number of hedge fund investors as of Q2 2024.
A wide view of an Apple store, showing the range of products the company offers.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 184
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) delivered a strong third-quarter performance, despite weaker-than-expected sales in China. While the company’s China sales declined by 6.5% year-over-year, the overall results exceeded Wall Street expectations. According to Toni Sacconaghi, the quarter was “clean,” with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) slightly surpassing estimates and providing modestly optimistic guidance for the upcoming quarter.
Dan Ives, Managing Director of Equity Research, Wedbush Securities maintains a bullish stance, describing the company’s performance as “good enough for now.” With the iPhone 16 cycle yet to begin, Ives sees strong potential, especially as Apple’s services sector remains robust and China begins to turn into a tailwind for the company. He rates Apple’s position as highly favorable, predicting the stock will continue to perform well, particularly as the company enters what he terms an AI-driven super cycle with the upcoming iPhone 16.
Recently, Ben, Head of Technology Research, provided insights into Apple’s future. Despite Buffett’s sales, he remains optimistic about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), citing a “generational upgrade cycle” as a key driver. Ben highlighted that Apple’s user base is aging, creating significant potential for new upgrades, especially with the integration of Apple Intelligence, which is exclusive to newer models.
Concerns exist about whether Apple Intelligence will substantially impact the upgrade cycle, particularly if its benefits are limited to higher-end phones. However, Ben projects that Apple’s earnings could exceed $9 per share in a bull case scenario, potentially approaching $10. Historical data shows that iPhone growth can surpass 20%, and while current expectations are modest—mid-single digits for iPhone sales this year and next—Ben believes these are achievable. He anticipates a gradual but positive upgrade cycle peaking around 2026, which should be an improvement over recent stagnation.
Overall AAPL ranks 5th on our list of ChatGPT’s recent stock recommendations. While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AAPL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, heck out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
