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Tim Cook's Last Quarter as CEO Was Apple's Best June Quarter Ever. The Stock Fell Anyway.

2026-08-05 08:27 Daniel Sparks The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Neutral EquitiesEarnings AAPL

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Apple’s Record Quarter Masks Future Headwinds

Apple’s best June quarter ever still spooked investors as growth slows and costs rise.

Apple posted a stunning $109 billion in revenue for its June quarter, showing it can still grow the core business and maintain strong margins even after years as a global tech giant. But the market’s reaction—an 8% drop in after-hours trading—signals nerves about what's next. Services, a vital and high-margin part of Apple, grew only 12%, its slowest pace recently. On top of that, rising memory costs and potential supply constraints suggest margins could shrink soon. For South African investors, the direct link is thin, but the USD/ZAR rate often mirrors broader risk appetite tied to global tech sentiment. If the dollar strengthens against the rand due to renewed US tech caution, local markets might feel the pinch in growth stocks and tech companies with international exposure like Naspers and Prosus. Ignore the hype; Apple’s impressive quarter isn’t an invitation to buy at any price. this is just our opinion and not financial advice

How I would invest

Hold off on chasing Apple right now. Watch USD/ZAR closely and consider trimming exposure to highly valued tech stocks like Naspers and Prosus if the dollar gains strength. Wait for margins and services growth to stabilize before adding back.

What I would watch
  • AAPL
  • USD/ZAR
  • Naspers
  • Prosus
What could go wrong
  • Services growth could rebound faster than expected
  • Supply chain issues may be temporary and resolved quickly
How strongly I feel

6/10

Apple reported its best June quarter ever under Tim Cook with $109.4 billion in revenue (up 16% YoY) and strong earnings growth across iPhone and Mac. However, the stock fell as much as 8% after-hours due to investor concerns about slowing Services growth (12% YoY), upcoming supply constraints, rising memory costs, and a valuation already priced at 40x earnings. John Ternus takes over as CEO on September 1.

Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.

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