Is Apple Inc. (AAPL) the Top Stock to Buy According to Adage Capital Management?

We recently published a list of Top 10 Stocks to Buy According to Adage Capital Management. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands against other top stocks to buy according to Adage Capital Management.

Adage Capital Management, based in Boston, is a major investment firm specializing in managing the broader market’s assets, with a strong focus on Endowments and Foundations. Among its prominent clients are institutions such as Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Northwestern University, the American Red Cross, and the Getty Foundation. Over the last 15 years, Adage and its predecessor, the Select Equity Group at Harvard Management Company, have consistently surpassed the wider market’s performance by an average of 3.5%.

The firm’s origins date back to the mid-1980s when co-founders Phillip Gross and Robert Atchinson met as investment analysts for Harvard’s endowment. In the 1990s, following controversy over large performance bonuses at Harvard Management, they, along with an 18-person team, left to establish Adage Capital Management. Their launch was backed by a $1.8 billion initial investment from Harvard, with an agreement that the university would receive 10% of Adage’s earnings.

Adage Capital Management primarily manages the broader market’s assets for endowments and foundations, utilizing a long/short equity strategy driven by fundamental analysis. The firm also explores risk arbitrage and event-driven investment opportunities when suitable.

Phillip Gross, more commonly known as Phill Gross, co-founded Adage Capital Management, L.P. in 2001 and serves as a Managing Director and Healthcare Portfolio Manager. Before establishing the firm, he spent 18 years at Harvard Management Company, Inc., where he held roles as a Healthcare and Retail Analyst, Equity Research Director, and Partner.

Gross earned both his B.S. in finance and economics in 1982 and M.S. in investments in 1983 from the University of Wisconsin. He previously served on the UW Foundation Board of Directors and is currently involved with the Steve Hawk Center for Applied Securities Analysis Advisory Board and the Nicholas Center for Applied Corporate Finance Advisory Board. In 2006, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UW Business School.

In philanthropy, Gross co-founded Strategic Grant Partners, an initiative aimed at systemic change in education and family services in Massachusetts. He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Youth Enrichment Services, a Boston-based organization that introduces urban youth to outdoor activities. Additionally, he is a Board Trustee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, vice-chair of its Investment Committee, and a board member of the T2 Foundation.

Adage Capital Management’s Q4 2024 13F filing reported $57.19 billion in managed 13F securities, with its top 10 holdings accounting for 31.7% of the total portfolio. This distribution highlights the firm’s diversified investment approach.

Our Methodology

The stocks discussed below were picked from Adage Capital Management’s Q4 2024 13F filings. They are compiled in the ascending order of the hedge fund’s stake in them as of December 31, 2024. To assist readers with more context, we have included the hedge fund sentiment regarding each stock using data from over 1,000 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Apple Inc. (AAPL) the Top Stock to Buy According to Adage Capital Management?

A wide view of an Apple store, showing the range of products the company offers.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders as of Q4: 166

Adage Capital Management’s Equity Stake: $3.49 Billion 

Originally founded in 1976, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) remains a dominant force in the global technology sector, ranking as the top stock pick for Adage Capital Management. In Q4 2024, the company reported revenue of $124.3 billion, reflecting a 3.95% year-over-year increase and exceeding analyst expectations. Earnings per share rose to $2.40, up from $2.18 in the previous year. On January 30, 2025, Apple’s Board of Directors announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on February 13, 2025. Hedge fund interest in Apple also grew, with 166 out of 1,009 funds tracked by Insider Monkey holding positions valued at nearly $118.56 billion by the end of Q4, an increase from 158 funds in the prior quarter.

Looking ahead, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is making a $500 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years, focusing on expanding domestic manufacturing, doubling its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to $10 billion, and hiring 20,000 employees in key areas such as R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI. The company will begin producing servers in Houston this year and plans to open a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Texas by 2026, aligning with President Trump’s push for increased domestic production.

In March 2025, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced that it has delayed its more personalized Siri features, initially expected this spring, with plans to roll them out “in the coming year.” The update was meant to enhance Siri’s ability to understand personal context and take actions across apps, but internal concerns about functionality have led to setbacks. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple executives, including Craig Federighi, found the features unreliable in testing, and some within Apple’s AI division fear they may need to be rebuilt from scratch. A fully modernized, conversational Siri might not debut until iOS 20 at the earliest.

Tsai Capital mentioned Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in its Q4 2024 investor letter. It stated:

“We initiated our investment in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in 2016 and elevated it to a core holding in 2018, the same year the company introduced its redesigned 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models. Under Tim Cook’s visionary leadership, Apple has consistently redefined innovation in hardware and software.

The September 2024 launch of the iPhone 16, with its groundbreaking AI capabilities, including enhanced image generation tools, marks another inflection point. We believe this transformative device is the foundation for an AI-driven supercycle and could entice approximately 100 million consumers to upgrade, reinforcing Apple’s leadership in the industry.

Today, Apple’s ecosystem spans over two billion active devices, supported by a rapidly-growing base of subscription services. This strategy has helped to turbocharge customer engagement and spending. In the most recent fiscal year, which ended in September 2024, Apple’s high-margin services division accounted for 39.3% of total gross profits, up from 32.8% just two years ago.

Apple’s financial footing remains exceptional, with approximately $50 billion in net cash and marketable securities. Looking ahead, we expect earnings-per-share growth to outpace revenue growth, driven by margin expansion and continued share buybacks.”

Overall, AAPL ranks 1st on our list of top stocks to buy according to Adage Capital Management. While we acknowledge the potential for 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, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

AI Fire Sale: Insider Monkey’s #1 AI Stock Pick Is On A Steep Discount

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

The whispers are turning into roars.

Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore.

It’s the revolution reshaping every industry on the planet.

From driverless cars to medical breakthroughs, AI is on the cusp of a global explosion, and savvy investors stand to reap the rewards.

Here’s why this is the prime moment to jump on the AI bandwagon:

Exponential Growth on the Horizon: Forget linear growth – AI is poised for a hockey stick trajectory.

Imagine every sector, from healthcare to finance, infused with superhuman intelligence.

We’re talking disease prediction, hyper-personalized marketing, and automated logistics that streamline everything.

This isn’t a maybe – it’s an inevitability.

Early investors will be the ones positioned to ride the wave of this technological tsunami.

Ground Floor Opportunity: Remember the early days of the internet?

Those who saw the potential of tech giants back then are sitting pretty today.

AI is at a similar inflection point.

We’re not talking about established players – we’re talking about nimble startups with groundbreaking ideas and the potential to become the next Google or Amazon.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 10,000% Return: This AI Stock is a Diamond in the Rough (But Our Help is Key!)

The AI revolution is upon us, and savvy investors stand to make a fortune.

But with so many choices, how do you find the hidden gem – the company poised for explosive growth?

That’s where our expertise comes in.

We’ve got the answer, but there’s a twist…

Imagine an AI company so groundbreaking, so far ahead of the curve, that even if its stock price quadrupled today, it would still be considered ridiculously cheap.

That’s the potential you’re looking at. This isn’t just about a decent return – we’re talking about a 10,000% gain over the next decade!

Our research team has identified a hidden gem – an AI company with cutting-edge technology, massive potential, and a current stock price that screams opportunity.

This company boasts the most advanced technology in the AI sector, putting them leagues ahead of competitors.

It’s like having a race car on a go-kart track.

They have a strong possibility of cornering entire markets, becoming the undisputed leader in their field.

Here’s the catch (it’s a good one): To uncover this sleeping giant, you’ll need our exclusive intel.

We want to make sure none of our valued readers miss out on this groundbreaking opportunity!

That’s why we’re slashing the price of our Premium Readership Newsletter by a whopping 70%.

For a ridiculously low price of just $29.99, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single restaurant meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

 

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $29.99.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!


No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a year later!

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…