How to trade Apple using options into earnings next week
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Tom's Guide
39 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Huge Apple summer sale just went live from $25 — save on AirTags, Apple Watch and more
Back to school season is a great time to revamp your Apple gear. Even if you're not a student, there are plenty of Apple deals you can take advantage of right now from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. I've been using Macs all my life and the 13-inch MacBook Air (M4) on sale for $849 at Amazon is one of the best Apple deals of all time. You get Apple's latest silicon, 16GB of RAM, and a svelte laptop you can use for just about anything. I'm also a big iPad fan and right now Amazon has the 11" iPad (A16) on sale for $299. Yes, this was $20 cheaper on Prime Day, but scoring Apple's flagship iPad for $299 is what I consider an epic bargain. Whether you're searching for Apple back to school sales or just need to upgrade your current Apple gear, below I've listed all of my favorite Apple deals right now. The Apple AirTag is an excellent key finder that is extremely easy to set up and does a great job of locating your valuables. It's a modest discount, but you'll pay less if you buy it via Amazon than you would via the Apple Store. The Apple AirTag is an excellent Bluetooth tracker that is extremely easy to set up and does a great job of locating your valuables. Each coin-sized tracker offers a replaceable battery lasting over a year, water resistance, and seamless integration with iPhones. This bundle includes four, so you can have one on multiple items! The AirPods 4 boast a new design, which Apple has refined with "50 million data points" to create the most comfortable AirPods ever. They also feature Apple's H2 chip, which delivers clearer calls with Voice Isolation, and a new, hands-free way to interact with Siri. The AirPods 4 also have USB-C charging and include up to 30 hours of listening time. In our AirPods 4 review, we said the Editor's Choice earbuds bring Apple's wireless earbuds lineup into the modern day with Pro-level features for less. This deal brings a long-awaited discount to the Beats Pill. We had a Beats Pill hands-on, and found a speaker that has (as you might expect) some massive bass and a slick look. Battery life is respectable at 24 hours, and its waterproofing makes it perfect for pool parties and outdoor use. The AirPods Pro 2 pack Apple's new H2 chip to provide 2x more noice cancellation than their predecessors. They also offer Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for a more immersive audio experience. In our AirPods Pro 2 review, we said they take everything we loved about the original AirPods Pro to the next level. This new model includes a USB-C charging case. The current-gen Apple Watch SE sports an S8 processor, Crash Detection capability, and watchOS 11. In our Apple Watch SE review, we called it the best Apple Watch value you'll find. Note: It sold for $149 last Black Friday, but $169. remains the lowest price I've seen for 2025. The Apple Watch 10 boasts a thinner/lighter design, faster charging, and an FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection feature. Other key features include 30% more screen area, rounded corners, and a first-ever wide angle OLED display. In our Apple Watch 10 review we said the optimized watchOS 11 experience and faster charging are worthwhile and make this the Apple Watch to get for most people. The 2025 iPad features a larger 11-inch (2360 x 1640) screen, A16 CPU, 12MP rear/front cameras, USB-C connectivity and Magic Keyboard Folio ($249) support. The base model features 128GB of storage, which double the capacity of its predecessor. It's available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities. The 2025 iPad Air packs Apple's M3 processor, an 11-inch LED (2360 x 1640) display, 128GB of storage, 12MP rear camera and 12MP front camera. The tablet packs a more powerful 8-core CPU, which makes the M3 up to 35% faster for multithreaded CPU workflows than the iPad Air M1. There's also a 9-core GPU on board with 40% faster graphics performance than the M1. In our iPad Air M3 review we said its fun Apple Intelligence features, reliable battery life (9 hours w/ 41 minutes) and overall thin design make it a winning Apple slate. It's just $20 shy of its all-time price low. This MacBook Air is powered by Apple's M4 chipset, and upgrades the camera from 1080p to 12MP with Center Stage support. The M4 chipset also supports dual external monitors, even when you have the laptop's lid open. It packs a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), Apple's M4 CPU w/ 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. In our MacBook Air M4 review, we said the Editor's Choice laptop is irresistible thanks to its speedy performance, sharper camera and lower starting price. Prefer a bigger screen? The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 model is also on sale. It packs a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2880 x 1864), Apple's M4 CPU w/ 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. In our MacBook Air 15-inch M4 review we called it one of the best 15-inch laptops out there. Apple iPhone 16e: was $16/month now $5/month w/ Unlimited @ AT&TSign up for an unlimited plan at AT&T, and your monthly payment on an iPhone 16e drops from $16.67/month to just $5.99. Over the course of 36 months, that saves you more than $380 on the cost of Apple's entry-level phone. The iPhone 16e may be a lower-priced model, but it still supports the same Apple Intelligence features as flagship iPhones, and it's got a more modern design than previous iPhone SE models. Trade in an eligible device in any condition, and T-Mobile will give you a credit of up to $1,000 that you can apply to an iPhone 16 Pro. You'll need to sign up for T-Mobile's $100/month Experience Beyond plan to qualify as well, though if you opt for the $85/month Experience More plan, you can still get up to $830 in credit. T-Mobile will also pay off your phone up to $800 with your current carrier. This is a great way to get one of Apple's best iPhones at a low-to-no cost. No more running away from Apple's base model Mac mini. The M4 Mac mini packs that awesome M4 chip along with a doubling of RAM to 16GB and a 256GB SSD. Port array continues to be impressive with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Ethernet and more. In our Apple Mac mini M4 review we said the Editor's Choice machine is as close to perfect as it gets. Note: It sold for $499 over Prime Day, but has rarely been on sale this month. The iMac M4 delivers all the strengths of the iMac with the added juice provided by Apple's M4 chip, delivering better performance than any iMac to date. In our iMac M4 review, we said the Editor's Choice all-in-one delivers great performance. It features a 24-inch 4480 x 2520 display, 16GB of RAM, M4 chipset, 256GB SSD, and 12MP webcam.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
10 shares I wouldn't want to hold in a stock market crash
There are several warning signs suggest the stock market may be entering an overheating phase, reminiscent of prior late-stage bull markets. It's certainly more prevalent in the US, but even some UK stocks look a little too hot to touch. Key indicators include technical metrics, valuation levels, investor behaviour, and macroeconomic signals. The S&P 500 is trading significantly above its 200-day moving average, a pattern often seen near market peaks. Meanwhile the market has been climbing the so-called Wall of Worry. Market participants have been shrugging off negative news, fuelling elevated investor optimism despite conflicting signals from credit markets and underlying economic risks. Valuations are looking stretched all over the place, even when accounting for the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). For context, the forward price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio for the global IT sector now sits at 1.83, suggesting that growth is more than priced in. High-performing sectors, particularly technology leaders, have experienced the kind of parabolic rallies that historically precede sharp corrections. Modest rallies are typically more indicative of sustainable price movement. And many commentator are highlighting that the market will need to acknowledge some of the broader economic challenges we see today. Inflation is stubborn in many parts of the world, geopolitical tensions remain elevated, and US trade policy will have a material impact on global development. So, which shares would I not want to hold in a stock market crash? Well, stocks with strong momentum that could reverse amid demanding valuations. Stock 6-month price change Arm Holdings -1.5% Holdings 88% Credo Technologies 25.8% Oracle 32% Palantir 96% Quantum Computing Inc 55% Rightmove 21% Rocket Lab 58% SoundHound AI -24% Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) -24% There's no particular pattern here. However, many trade at multiples far in excess of their averages, display unsustainable share price movements, and have an element of speculation baked in. I even owned some until recently, and continue to own Quantum Computing Inc — this is a short-term trade not an investment. I sadly decided to part with my Rocket Lab shares — up 100%, but I think the gains were unsustainable. What's wrong with Tesla? I like Tesla. I own a Tesla. But I wouldn't buy Tesla stock at the current price. Simply, at 177 times forward earnings, the stock is detached from its fundamentals and even its prospects. The stock has become so expensive because of the belief that Tesla will dominate the autonomous driving revolution. Indeed, it's certainly ahead of the game in relative terms, having rolled out robotaxis in limited numbers. However, there is no guarantee it will dominate in the autonomous era. And there's no guarantee uptake will be unanimous. And that's an issue for a company with a price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of eight times. Ironically, Ferrari, the antithesis of autonomous driving, also trades with an outrageous PEG of six times. Long story short, as much as I like the brand, the valuation is built on a degree of speculation. And when the market goes into reverse, speculators get hurt the most. That's why I think investors should consider other stocks with stronger metrics for now. Or possibly sell if they hold them. Nonetheless, I still think there are some excellent investment opportunities out there, even in the current market. The post 10 shares I wouldn't want to hold in a stock market crash appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool James Fox has positions in Quantum Computing Inc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Oracle, Rightmove Plc, and Tesla. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
TSM, ASML, and LRCX: The 3 Semiconductor Stocks Investors Must Know About
Semiconductor stocks have enjoyed a strong uptick over the past few years as semiconductors are crucial for making some of the market's most exciting themes possible, whether it's generative AI, self-driving cars, or humanoid robots. That said, their importance to these powerful secular trends is now widely appreciated by the market, and therefore many top semiconductor stocks already enjoy fairly elevated valuations. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. However, shares of some of the most essential semiconductor manufacturing and equipment companies, which are crucial to the semiconductor supply chain, still offer a pocket of fairly reasonable valuations within the sector, especially given their indispensable role in the industry. Here, we'll take a look at three top semiconductor equipment and manufacturing stocks — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM), ASML Holding (ASML), and Lam Research (LRCX) — that should all be on investor watchlists looking for exposure to the growth of these dynamic themes at a reasonable price. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) Taiwan Semiconductor is the world's largest chip maker, with a dominant 60% share of the market. It also manufactures many of the world's most advanced semiconductors and enjoys a significant moat, as producing these chips requires considerable technological and engineering expertise and capital investment. Only a small number of companies globally have the capability to manufacture the most cutting-edge semiconductors, and Taiwan Semiconductor is the preeminent player in this segment of the market, boasting an estimated 90% market share of advanced chips. The company counts some of the world's most prominent semiconductor and technology companies as its customers, including Nvidia (NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Apple (AAPL). Taiwan Semiconductor's unrivaled capabilities and substantial market share within advanced chips are paying off, as the company increased revenue 38.6% during the second quarter, with CFO Wendell Huang reporting that 'Our business in the second quarter was supported by continued robust AI and HPC-related demand.' There is a lot to like about TSMC's strong business model, yet the stock trades at a reasonable valuation of just 24x 2025 earnings estimates, just a slight premium to the broader market as the S&P 500 (SPX) trades for roughly 22x forward earnings estimates. This appears to be an attractive valuation for a company exhibiting Taiwan Semiconductor's revenue growth and a considerable moat. Is TSMC Stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Turning to Wall Street, TSMC earns a Strong Buy consensus rating based on six Buys, one Hold, and zero Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. The average TSM stock price target of $267.57 implies 10.75% upside potential. ASML Holding (ASML) Like Taiwan Semiconductor, ASML Holding (ASML) is an integral link within the global semiconductor supply chain. The Netherlands-based company manufactures photolithography machines for chip manufacturers, including TSMC, Samsung, and Intel (INTC). These are highly complex and expensive systems (with price tags of up to $200 million) that use light to etch circuit patterns onto a silicon wafer, a crucial part of the semiconductor manufacturing process. ASML is the only firm currently providing extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines, which are used to make the most advanced chips, giving ASML a powerful moat. ASML also manufactures deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, used in the production of older chips, and earns revenue from servicing these EUV and DUV machines for its customers. For these reasons, ASML is arguably one of the most important companies in the world. However, it isn't really priced as such. The stock trades for a reasonable 25x 2025 earnings estimates, just a slight premium to the S&P 500. The stock isn't ultra cheap, but it does carry an appealing valuation that the semiconductor industry is heavily reliant on. ASML is a dividend stock, currently yielding 0.92%. While this isn't a high yield, the company has slowly but surely been growing its dividend over time as its earnings power increases. For example, ASML has increased its dividend payout for nine consecutive years and grown it at an attractive 21.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years. In addition to the dividend, ASML has also made extensive use of share buybacks to return capital to shareholders. Share buybacks are often beneficial to shareholders, as they reduce the company's share count, thereby increasing earnings per share and concentrating the company's earnings among a smaller pool of investors. They are also often seen as a sign that management believes that the stock is undervalued. Through the first two quarters of 2025, ASML has repurchased approximately 4.6 million shares of the company this year, worth roughly €4.25 billion. Despite its unique capabilities and strong business model (not to mention beating both revenue and earnings estimates), ASML fell sharply after reporting Q2 earnings earlier this month and has yet to recover. The stock is down more than 10% over the past month and 23.5% off of its 52-week high. The recent sell-off was based on the company guiding for lower Q3 revenue than the market expected, and stating it cannot confirm further growth in 2026 due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. While the year ahead may indeed pose challenges, we are confident that over the long term, ASML's equipment and services will continue to be in high demand by the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers, making the stock an attractive long-term opportunity to buy on the dip. Is ASML Stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell? ASML earns a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on four Buys, five Holds, and zero Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. The average ASML stock price target of $863.83 implies 19% upside potential over the coming year. Lam Research (LRCX) Finally, let's examine Lam Research (LRCX), a vital player in the global semiconductor supply chain. The company designs advanced equipment for etching, deposition, and cleaning—critical steps in the chip manufacturing process. Like ASML, Lam also generates recurring revenue from servicing its complex and highly specialized machinery. While it faces competition from names like Applied Materials (AMAT) and Tokyo Electron, Lam operates in a niche with high technological barriers to entry, making it an attractive long-term prospect. Lam Research currently trades at around 24x forward earnings—only a modest premium to the broader market, suggesting a reasonable valuation given its position in the semiconductor ecosystem. In terms of shareholder returns, Lam offers a dividend yield of 0.94%. Though the yield is modest, the company has consistently increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years, with a robust 14.9% compound annual growth rate over the past five years. Additionally, Lam is returning capital through share buybacks, highlighted by its $5 billion repurchase program announced in May. Is LRCX Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? LRCX earns a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 11 Buys, two Holds, and zero Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. The average LRCX stock price target of $108.75 implies 11.2% upside potential over the coming year. Semiconductor Supply Chain Stocks Offer Long-Term Value I'm bullish on all three of these semiconductor supply chain stocks, as I believe they offer compelling long-term value for investors. Each company plays a critical role in the production of semiconductors that will power transformative technologies such as generative AI, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. Their highly specialized products and services create durable competitive advantages and significant barriers to entry. Yet, despite their strategic importance and strong positioning, all three stocks trade at valuations only modestly above the broader market. Additionally, each company is actively returning capital to shareholders, further enhancing its investment appeal.
