Jim Cramer on Apple Inc. (AAPL): ‘These Gains Were Totally Gettable’

In a recent analysis, Jim Cramer highlighted Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) ability to navigate turbulent markets while maintaining its position as a tech titan. Despite near-term headwinds, Cramer emphasized that Apple’s resilience—driven by services growth, ecosystem dominance, and a fortress balance sheet—has made its recent gains “totally gettable” for patient investors.

Apple’s Q2 2025: A Classic Beat, But Not Without Flaws

Apple’s Q1 2025 results ($95.4 billion in revenue, +8% YoY) underscored its ability to outperform in a contracting U.S. economy (-0.3% GDP growth). Services revenue surged to $26.65 billion, a 11.6% YoY jump, with the App Store, Apple Music, and cloud services leading the charge.

. This segment now accounts for 28% of total revenue, a critical diversifier from hardware sales.

Cramer praised Apple’s services as a “growth engine” but noted that near-term risks could cloud its trajectory.

Near-Term Challenges: Tariffs, Supply Chains, and AI Lags

1. Tariff-Driven Costs: A 145% tariff on Chinese imports added $900 million to Q2 costs, triggering a 4% after-hours sell-off. Analysts warn tariffs could shave $3–$4 billion off annual profits by 2026.
2. Supply Chain Struggles: Despite shifting iPhone production to India and wearables to Vietnam, 80% of iPhones still come from China. Delays in scaling Indian factories and quality control issues in Vietnam raise doubts about long-term supply chain stability.
3. AI Underperformance: Competitors like NVIDIA and Meta are racing ahead in AI, but Apple’s incremental progress—delayed Siri upgrades and lagging hardware-software integration—has left investors underwhelmed. Cramer quipped, “Apple’s AI isn’t just missing—it’s deafening.”
4. Legal and Geopolitical Risks: A DOJ antitrust lawsuit and U.S.-China trade tensions add further uncertainty.

Cramer’s Investment Thesis: Hold for the Long Game

Cramer’s advice balances optimism and caution. He urged investors to “Own it, don’t trade it,” citing Apple’s $2.4 trillion market cap, $500 billion U.S. investment pledge, and a 4% dividend hike in May 2025. Services revenue’s 14% YoY growth since 2020 and a fortress balance sheet ($30 billion in cash) justify its status as a core holding.

However, he cautioned that volatility is likely until trade policies stabilize or AI breakthroughs materialize. Risks include tariffs pushing shares below $200 and AI delays undermining momentum.

Analyst and Hedge Fund Sentiment: Bullish, But with Caveats

Analysts remain optimistic. Bank of America’s Wamsi Mohan maintained a Buy rating with a $235 price target, citing Q3 App Store revenue of $3.3 billion (+11% YoY). The average analyst price target implies a 20.61% upside from May 2025 levels.

Hedge funds back this optimism: Apple ranks 10th on Cramer’s list of top stocks, with 166 hedge fund holders. Historical data shows mimicking top hedge fund picks has returned 373.4% since 2014—a testament to its enduring appeal.

Conclusion: Apple’s Resilience vs. Near-Term Headwinds

Apple’s +350% total returns since 2015 prove its ability to thrive over the long term, even amid turbulence. Services growth, ecosystem dominance, and a dividend yield now at 0.6% (up from 0.5% in 2020) support Cramer’s “hold” stance.

Yet, investors must weigh these positives against clear risks. reveals volatility tied to tariff announcements and AI updates. A broader view——highlights its consistency, but 2025’s challenges could test its resilience.

For now, Apple remains a “stock for patient investors.” While near-term gains may be bumpy, its structural advantages and cash flow make it a buy-and-hold candidate—provided investors can endure the muddier path ahead.

Data as of May 2025. Past performance does not guarantee future results.