Apple Acquisition Speculations, Legal Battles, and Tim Cook's Political Balancing Act: This Week's Top Stories

Apple is facing acquisition speculations, legal battles, and balancing act challenges. The company is rumored to be considering a $60 billion acquisition, and has sued YouTuber Jon Prosser for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets. CEO Tim Cook has been spending more time managing politics than pursuing innovations, and Apple has signed a $500 million deal with MP Materials to secure rare earth magnets. CNBC's Jim Cramer believes Apple's stock could soar if the company makes strategic acquisitions and halts its stock buyback program.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) finds itself at a critical juncture, navigating a complex landscape of acquisition speculations, legal battles, and strategic supply chain investments. The company, valued at $3.123 trillion, is rumored to be considering a $60 billion acquisition, while simultaneously engaging in a legal dispute with YouTuber Jon Prosser, who is accused of misappropriating trade secrets [3]. CEO Tim Cook has been spending more time managing political and legal challenges than pursuing innovations, according to industry observers.

In the midst of these challenges, Apple has made a significant move to secure its supply chain. The company has signed a $500 million deal with MP Materials to buy American-made rare earth magnets. This commitment is part of Apple's broader pledge to spend over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years [1]. The deal involves building a state-of-the-art factory in Fort Worth, Texas, and a recycling facility in Mountain Pass, California, to support Apple's growing demand for these critical materials [2].

CNBC's Jim Cramer has weighed in on Apple's stock performance, suggesting that it could soar if the company makes strategic acquisitions and halts its stock buyback program. Cramer believes that acquiring the artificial intelligence-powered answer engine, Perplexity, could be a game-changer, especially given the potential impact of the U.S. government's antitrust ruling against Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL) [3]. The ruling, expected by August 2025, could force Google to end default search deals with Apple's Safari browser, opening up opportunities for Apple to integrate conversational AI solutions like Perplexity.

Apple's stock buyback program has been a subject of debate. In 2024, the company spent the most on stock buybacks, and its board authorized an additional share repurchase program of up to $100 billion. Cramer contends that continued buybacks will do little to boost the stock's performance and suggests that strategic acquisitions could have a more significant impact [3].

As Apple navigates these challenges, it remains focused on its core competencies, including innovation and supply chain management. The recent deal with MP Materials demonstrates the company's commitment to securing vital materials domestically and advancing recycling technologies. The strategic moves, combined with the potential impact of the antitrust ruling and the acquisition of Perplexity, could shape Apple's future trajectory in the coming years.

References:

[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/15/apple-500m-commitment-to-american-magnets/
[2] https://macdailynews.com/2025/07/15/mp-materials-skyrockets-after-500-million-apple-deal-for-rare-earth-magnets/
[3] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46439852/aapl-stock-would-soar-if-it-buys-this-says-jim-cramer-continued-buybacks-will-do-nothing