Should I buy Apple stock in 2025? A Complete Guide for NZ Investors

What is Apple?

How much is Apple stock?

The price of Apple stock is falling this week. As of now, Apple shares are trading at $199.95 USD, down $0.47 (-0.23%) over the past 24 hours, with a weekly decline of 0.52%.

Apple’s beta of 1.22 indicates moderate volatility. With Apple’s solid fundamentals and ongoing global innovations, the stock remains a closely watched option for NZ investors seeking exposure to the tech sector.

Our full analysis of Apple stock

Having reviewed Apple’s latest financial results and assessed its share price evolution over the past three years, we have applied our proprietary algorithms to a blend of financial indicators, technical signals, sector data, and competitive benchmarking. This rigorous approach aims to distil market signals into actionable insights for the discerning investor. So, why might Apple stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global technology sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Apple Inc. (AAPL) currently trades at $199.95 (as at 30 May 2025), delivering a year-on-year return of +5.45% and marking a resilient performance despite a recent monthly retracement of -4.33%. Over the past three years, Apple has outpaced key indices such as the NASDAQ-100 and S&P 500 on both a total return and risk-adjusted basis, a testament to its enduring defensiveness and adaptability amid challenging cycles.

• Q2 2025 financials saw revenue grow 5% year-on-year to $95.4bn and EPS climb 8% to $1.65, both outpacing analyst consensus.
• Services, Apple’s most profitable segment, surged by 12% over the same period, underlining management’s success in diversifying revenue streams.
• Anticipation is building ahead of WWDC 2025 (9 June), historically a catalyst for positive sentiment and momentum.

Macroeconomic trends remain highly favourable for Big Tech leaders. With rates expected to stabilise in advanced economies, AI spending expanding globally, and consumer resilience prevailing in Apple’s core US and European segments, the environment supports a bullish long-term case. Even factoring in a short-term slowdown in the Chinese premium smartphone market (-11% for Apple), Apple’s global brand, innovative moat, and expanding services ecosystem appear well positioned for sustained growth. NZ-based investors remain particularly well placed to access this opportunity via major global brokers and NZX/ASX-aligned products.

Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, Apple’s current setup shows meaningful promise for medium-term positioning:

• Indicators: With a 14-day RSI at 45.12, Apple shares are currently in a neutral zone—neither overbought nor oversold. The MACD is mildly negative (-1.46), suggesting the recent corrective movement may be approaching exhaustion.
• Support and Resistance: Apple is testing strong support in the $195–$200 range, a level that has consistently attracted institutional buying in previous drawdowns. This is reinforced by price action approaching the 50-day moving average, historically a reliable inflection point for trend resets.
• Momentum: While not in a confirmed uptrend, the underlying technical structure remains constructive, with robust buying interest visible on downswings and immediate resistance located at $214. A close above this level could spark renewed upward momentum.

Overall, the setup supports the view that Apple may be consolidating for a fresh advance, offering a strategic technical entry point for accumulation.

Fundamental Analysis

Apple’s Q1 and Q2 2025 results reinforce the company’s exceptional profitability and operational leverage:

• Revenues grew 4% and 5% year-on-year in Q1 and Q2, respectively. Net profit rose by 7.1% and 8% over the same periods, defying broader sectoral slowdowns.
• Earnings per share (EPS) grew 10% last quarter to $2.40, beating consensus—demonstrating effective capital management.
• Services, now contributing $26.6bn (up 12% YoY), continue to underpin high-margin expansion and are forecast to further outpace legacy hardware sales. This shift is vital for recurring revenue visibility.
• Valuation: Apple currently trades at a TTM P/E of 31.2 and a forward P/E of 28.0—a premium, but well-justified considering its growth, brand power, and balance sheet strength. The PEG ratio, factoring in above-market earnings growth and robust cash flows, supports a “quality at a reasonable price” thesis. By comparison, Apple’s valuation sits below many AI- and software-focused megacaps.
• Structural Strengths: Apple retains unmatched pricing power across flagship hardware segments (iPhone, Mac, iPad) and a formidable ecosystem that drives ongoing engagement and lock-in. Its $2.99T market cap is anchored by financial discipline, innovation, and global scale, rendering it less vulnerable to cyclical shocks than most peers.

These elements combine to present Apple as a rare combination of growth, resilience, and defensive attributes—especially attractive at current levels.

Volume and Liquidity

Apple’s liquidity remains a core pillar of its investment case:

• The stock’s 10-day average daily volume stands at 52.37 million shares, ensuring tight bid-ask spreads and ease of execution even for institutional-sized trades.
• A broad public float of 14.94 billion shares and $2.99T market cap guarantee strong price discovery and dynamic valuation responsiveness.
• Sustained high volumes, even during short-term pullbacks, signal enduring market confidence and reflect deep conviction among both retail and institutional investors.
• Such characteristics are particularly advantageous for NZ investors, ensuring flexibility and market efficiency when entering or exiting positions.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several forward-looking catalysts reinforce Apple’s medium- and long-term optimism:

• Artificial Intelligence: Apple is accelerating AI integration across its product lines, aiming to close the perceived gap with cloud-first rivals. Innovations in on-device intelligence and potential launches in WWDC are closely watched by the market.
• Product Innovation: Rumours of upcoming AR/VR glasses, services bundles, and new hardware refresh cycles abound. Apple’s R&D pipeline is robust, with expectations for new categories to drive the next phase of growth.
• Services Expansion: The 12% YoY surge in Services underscores secular momentum in the sector and further margin expansion potential. This shift meaningfully derisks reliance on cyclical hardware refreshes.
• ESG and Brand Leadership: Apple’s environmental and social governance commitments continue to resonate culturally and commercially, reinforcing brand strength and customer loyalty.
• Macro Tailwinds: Easing interest rates, persistent consumer demand for premium electronics, and global digitalisation trends all provide a favourable context.
• Event Catalysts: The upcoming WWDC (9 June 2025) represents a clear near-term trigger, with product announcements historically acting as a springboard for technical breakouts and positive sentiment.

Investment Strategies

For investors considering a position, Apple’s current setting supports attractive entry points across strategies:

• Short-Term: The share price has corrected close to its $195–$200 support, providing a tactical opportunity as it consolidates ahead of WWDC and mid-year product launches. Upside targets may initially focus on the $214 resistance.
• Medium-Term: With resilient financials, powerful services momentum, and fresh catalysts, Apple appears well placed to target its analyst consensus of $228.76 (+14.4% potential from current), with further upside to $259.94 based on technical projections.
• Long-Term: For investors seeking compounding capital growth, Apple’s combination of secular tailwinds, continued innovation, and strong brand create compelling justification for inclusion as a core portfolio holding. The company’s ongoing evolution into services, AI, and potentially AR/VR platforms may underpin the next decade of outperformance.

Positioning at current levels—either at technical lows or in advance of key company events—seems to represent an excellent window to participate in Apple’s projected medium- and long-term upside.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Apple?

To summarise, Apple enters the second half of 2025 with a formidable combination of structural strengths—resilient earnings, diversified growth, outsized cash generation, and a growing share of high-margin recurrent services. Its world-class R&D engine continues to produce category-defining innovations, while the stock’s robust liquidity, technical structure, and consistently positive earnings surprises offer favourable conditions for new capital deployment.

With analyst consensus pricing in a 14.4% upside and key technical supports in play, the fundamentals justify renewed interest. Short-term consolidation appears to be setting the stage for Apple to enter a new bullish phase, especially with significant innovation and event-driven catalysts ahead. For NZ-based investors seeking quality exposure to global technology, Apple’s shares deserve serious consideration as a strategic addition at current valuations.

In sum, the current convergence of technical opportunity, resilient fundamentals, and multiple near-term catalysts suggests Apple may be entering a fresh cycle of leadership in the global tech sector—an opportunity that stands out in today’s evolving market landscape.

How to buy Apple stock in New Zealand?

Buying Apple shares online from New Zealand is both simple and secure when you use a regulated broker. Today, Kiwis can access global markets using either of two main methods: classic “spot” (cash) buying, which gives you direct ownership of Apple shares, or financial instruments called Contracts for Difference (CFDs), allowing you to speculate on price movements with leverage. Both methods involve straightforward digital platforms, robust investor protection, and transparent fees. Choosing the right method depends on your goals—read on for details and explore our broker comparison further down the page to find a suitable partner.

Spot (Cash) Buying

Buying Apple stocks “for cash” means you own actual AAPL shares in your name, usually held electronically. This classic approach is ideal for longer-term investors seeking to benefit from share price growth and dividends. With NZ brokers, expect a fixed commission per order, typically around NZ$5–10, plus minor FX conversion costs since Apple is listed in USD.

Example

Suppose Apple stock is trading at USD $199.95 (approx. NZ$326). With a NZ$1,000 investment:
- After accounting for a NZ$5 brokerage fee, you could buy about 3 shares of Apple (NZ$1,000 – NZ$5 ≈ NZ$995; NZ$995 ÷ NZ$326 ≈ 3 shares).

✔️ If the Apple share price rises by 10%:
- Your Apple holdings would be worth about NZ$1,100.
- Result: +NZ$100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment (before FX or tax).

Trading via CFDs

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) on Apple shares enable you to speculate on share price moves without owning the underlying shares. CFDs offer leverage, amplifying potential gains and losses, and permit both long (buy) and short (sell) positions. Fees include the spread (difference between buy and sell prices) and an overnight financing charge for positions held beyond a day.

Example

You open a CFD on Apple shares with NZ$1,000 and 5x leverage, giving you NZ$5,000 in exposure.

✔️ If Apple stock rises by 8%:
- Your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%, resulting in a +NZ$400 gross profit (excluding fees and FX).
- Note: Losses are magnified the same way, and overnight funding applies if held.

Final Advice

Before you invest, carefully compare brokers’ fees, FX margins, platform features, and regulatory credentials—these can significantly affect returns, especially for smaller portfolios. Your choice between direct spot share ownership and leveraged CFD trading should suit your investment objectives and risk profile. Head further down the page for our comprehensive broker comparison and make an informed, confident start in accessing Apple stock from New Zealand.

Our 7 tips for buying Apple stock

The latest news about Apple

Apple delivered robust Q2 2025 results with revenues up 5% and Services up 12% year-on-year. The company’s performance for the quarter ended March 2025 exceeded market expectations, especially in high-margin segments like Services, which generated $26.6 billion and grew at a double-digit rate. This consistent expansion is particularly relevant for New Zealand-based investors who benefit from Apple’s strong ecosystem integration and service penetration, including the broad local uptake of platforms like Apple Music, iCloud, and App Store in Australasia, supporting both consumer and developer communities in NZ.

The upcoming Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025) promises new product announcements and technological advancements. Scheduled for 9 June 2025, WWDC will likely showcase Apple’s latest innovations in software and services, potentially including artificial intelligence advancements and ecosystem refinements. For New Zealand’s tech sector and developer community, this event is significant as it often leads to updates impacting app development, digital service integration, and the broader Apple device landscape, driving engagement and adoption in the NZ market.

Analysts maintain a positive 12-month outlook, with a consensus price target representing a 14.4% upside. Despite near-term volatility and global headwinds, expert consensus situates the average target at $228.76 per share, highlighting continued optimism regarding Apple’s ability to outpace challenges and reinforce its premium market positioning. For New Zealand-based institutional and retail investors, this outlook is constructive, underlining solid potential for portfolio growth given Apple’s global leadership and relevance across both hardware and digital services locally.

Apple's integrated ecosystem and growing focus on artificial intelligence further strengthen its competitive edge. Continued investment in AI and ecosystem-wide integration supports product stickiness and cross-platform utility—key factors for New Zealand’s digitally-connected population. Enhancements in AI-driven features, security, and user experience—expected to be detailed at WWDC—are likely to maintain high customer satisfaction and reinforce Apple’s brand strength in the region, where device usage and service subscriptions remain strong.

Apple’s fundamentals remain robust, with a $2.99T market capitalization and strong cash generation supporting dividends and stability. With a leading market cap, consistent dividend payments ($0.26 per quarter), and a resilient balance sheet, Apple offers New Zealand investors an appealing blend of growth and income. This stability is particularly significant against the backdrop of currency volatility or global uncertainty, making AAPL a favored holding in NZ Superannuation Funds and among KiwiSaver growth funds, ensuring ongoing relevance and exposure to global technology megatrends.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.