CNBC’s Jim Cramer said Monday. apple’s The recent rally, up nearly 9.95 points, or about 4%, highlights why investors should hold the stock rather than trying to trade it, and why the broader market has followed its lead.
Apple boosted the Dow by 1.12 percentage points, the S&P 500 by 1.07 percentage points and the Nasdaq by 1.37 percentage points, boosted by bullish comments from three analysts, including longtime Apple watcher Ben Reitz of Melius Research. Kramer noted that he was “on board the whole time.” Apple hit a record high at the close of trading on Monday.
“As long as Apple makes the best product, people will buy it,” Kramer said.
Kramer highlighted the iPhone 17 lineup as evidence of the tech giant’s unparalleled product cycle. As Kramer discussed with Apple CEO Tim Cook last month, demand is strong, from the lightest versions to the most durable models, and features like improved selfie technology set Apple devices apart. Price stability supported by trade-in values and carrier subsidies strengthened Apple’s appeal, while the iPhone Air’s sleek form factor captured consumer attention.
Cramer said the stock price rise was predictable, but many investors were distracted by persistent negativity. Critics highlighted employee turnover to Meta, concerns about Siri, poor sales in China, and gradual upgrades.
Analysts now see China on the upswing through 2026, with momentum across the board for new devices, including the possibility of a foldable iPhone next year. Evercore and Loop Capital’s report highlights double-digit growth in Apple’s services and mobile phone cycles in the coming years, reinforcing the stock’s long-term potential.
Mr. Kramer mentioned that there are currently 1.5 billion iPhones in use, and that there are so many people waiting in line at product launches. Cramer also pointed to Apple’s influence with partners like Alphabet, which reportedly paid more than $20 billion to make Google the iPhone’s default search engine, demonstrating how Apple can monetize its ecosystem without making a huge investment.
He suggested that Apple could take a similar approach to artificial intelligence, allowing chatbot developers to pay for iPhone integration and generate significant profits without having to build their own AI models.
Cramer criticized traders who are trying to time Apple instead of owning it. Many sold when sentiment turned negative and re-entered after the stock had already risen, missing out on most of the gains. Analysts, reporters and short sellers have contributed to that concern, he said, but now Apple’s momentum has forced them to raise their estimates. Cramer also pointed to other misunderstood companies such as Salesforce and Amazon to illustrate how negative sentiment on Wall Street often peaks just as fundamentals improve.
“Common sense suggests,” Kramer said. “Check your carrier’s prices at Costco and ask the salesperson’s specs at the Apple Store and you’ll have everything you need to know why you should own Apple, not trade it.”
