David Emery on Base model iPhone 17 activations in China approach 30 million - 'Apple is Doomed, I tell you!'
on Kantar: Google's brand value overtakes Apple's - 'Google is a utility , a very profitable one. I’ll be unsurprised if their position at the top of this list lasts long. And I’ll guess Apple will remain number one on Fortune’s listing, which is more valuable taking opinions from a wide range of execs in all industries.'
on Sam Altman is disappointed in Apple - '“It’s supposed to be $1b from Apple to Google, per year x 10 years.” Expense that against what Google has been paying Apple for Search pole position: From Gemini: “Google pays Apple an estimated $20 billion per year to remain the default search engine across Apple’s Safari browser, Siri, and other services. The size of this deal and its specifics are detailed below: Deal Structure: Google shares a percentage of the ad revenue generated from searches originating on Apple devices. Payment Growth: The annual payout has grown steadily alongside search volume, having risen from roughly $15 billion to about $18 billion, before reaching the $20 billion mark. Business Impact: These payments represent a highly lucrative source of high-margin income for Apple, accounting for roughly 20% of Apple’s total Services revenue.” Apple has the platform (iOS, iPhones, iPads, Mac) and high demographic users who use Search, use Google preferentially, even when given choice, and mostly allow ads to be pushed and “seen”, allegedly. For that moat, Google pays for access by sharing a significant percentage of reasonably consistent growing search and ad revenues. The payment keeps growing because Apple keeps growing iPhone sales, keeps growing the install base of users AND active devices, adding 10’s of millions per year, and the users themselves appear to be growing their Search use, be it just normal search, or with Gemini attached, not sure if there is a differentiation in the contract or it’s been added in. Considering Services has been growing at a 14-15% clip over the past 4-6 quarters, I’d venture that Search payments are growing at least 7-.10% YoY. AFAIK, This is all completely separate from Apple paying Google to use Gemini to enhance or power its AI offerings. I’d say Apple is getting a pretty good deal overall.'
on Apple closes above $300 for the first time - 'I adore those that choose to Short. The bigger the Short the better. They set a bottom and fuel rallies. They are a Longs best friend.'
on Kantar: Google's brand value overtakes Apple's - 'I’m surprised at this. If anything, the term “Google” seems less commonly used. I don’t hear it as much anymore. Even for search I hear people saying they will search on line for something when they used to say they would “Google” it. Just anecdotal, but still a surprise.'
on Apple closes above $300 for the first time - 'Homage to Larry Hosford, may he rest in peace. Together we drink to tomorrow And likewise we live for today Well I’m loose with the Bruce and time he choose Even in the month of May'
on Premarket: Apple is red - 'Volume at 2 PM PDT is 54.7 M trades, just enough to close AAPL at $300.23. Well done, Apple longs!'
on Apple closes above $300 for the first time - 'All those shares that were bought back and retired as part of the buybacks the past several years are rewarding the long term farmers. Perhaps there will be some profit taking next week? Either way, still have 134 Million shares sold short as of April 15, 2026. Enjoy covering at these levels.'
on Premarket: Apple is red - 'I had 400 calls expiring May 15 (today) purchased at different price points. Sold 200 of those at $8 on the day of earnings to satisfy a margin call (actually a ‘concentration risk’ call because I’m a 100%er too with long-term stocks who also trades AAPL options). That resulted in a $180,000 “disallowed loss” because of wash-sale rule. Today, when AAPL hit ~302.79, I sold the remaining 200 calls at $32.51 which generated $650,000. Final profit was around $420,000 minus margin loan interest.'
on Premarket: Apple is red - 'Today is a challenging day for investors with nearly 70% of S&P 500 components in the red on the day in afternoon trading. Apple, however, is up $2.48 at $300.49. Intuit is up over 5% today at $397.63. Microsoft is $16.69 or 4.08% at $426.12. Adobe Systems is ahead 9.87 or 4.16% at $246.88. It looks like a strong day for software makers as we approach 3pm in New York.'
on Chinese press highlights Trump's recent stakes in Apple and Nvidia - 'He’s not a great anything! ((Or as my old dad used to say, “He’s not TOTALLY worthless. You can always use him as a bad example.)'
on Blowback from Tim Cook's presence in Trump's China entourage - 'I say go, do whatever you have to to be seen at the public appearances, and then go do real things like meeting with relevant Chinese officials and checking in on Apple business while you’re there.'
on Chinese press highlights Trump's recent stakes in Apple and Nvidia - 'this guy … this country is going to go sideways or down until all elected officials are permanently barred from investing in public companies ….'
