Earn Your Leisure: Apple’s Comeback – Why Investors Are Quietly Winning Big in 2024

Podcast: Earn Your Leisure
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Episode Date: December 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode, the Earn Your Leisure Stock Club team breaks down Apple’s impressive comeback in 2024, analyzing why investors are quietly winning big despite market volatility and negative headlines. The hosts discuss Apple’s stock performance, its evolving business and AI strategies, the shifting role of tech stocks as a safe haven, and broader lessons on big tech resilience, all with candid insights, some humor, and actionable takeaways for savvy investors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Apple Defies the Doubters

[03:36–04:08]

• Apple just hit a 52-week high ($283), even as the broader market declined.
  • “The rumors of its decline have been greatly overrated. Today when the market was down, Apple hit a 52 week high. Yeah, it is back on track. $283.” — Stock Club Member 3 [03:36]
• Apple is “quietly having a stellar year again and is quietly moving up the mountain.”

Faith in Leadership: Tim Cook & AI

[04:11–05:20]

• Discussion about Apple’s leadership:
  • “For the record, I never took it out of two tech... I just said Tim Cook should be replaced.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:11]
  • “They said you were doing Apple wrong. But I never left him.” — Stock Club Member 2 [04:21]
• Acknowledge recent leadership shifts, including Apple’s Head of AI stepping down.
  • “Two things can be true at the same time. If you listen, I can make you money. ...But do they still need to fix their AI strategy? For sure.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:24 & 04:44]
• Apple’s projected return over the next four years is estimated at 25–33%, making it comparable to a bond alternative for investors.
  • “Microsoft, Apple and Google are going to act like a safety haven, like a bond, because no one wants our American debt anymore.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:44]

Apple’s Global Approach and Product Wins

[05:20–06:03]

• The team admires Apple’s patient strategy—less about flashy product drops, more focus on regional growth (notably India and China).
  • “Let’s trust the regional approach that they said they were going to take... They now pass their number one back in China. The iPhone 17 beat all the sale projections.” — Stock Club Member 2 [05:20]
• Apple’s success in China, marked by the iPhone 17’s sales, is highlighted as a “quiet” success not spotted by many analysts.

Apple & AI: What’s Next?

[06:03–06:20], [11:23–12:02]

• AI strategy remains an unresolved issue:
  • “The AI strategy should be interesting, right?... the head of AI stepped down. But if we watch how Google rolled out their approach to AI, I feel like something similar is happening here.” — Stock Club Member 2 [06:03]
• There’s intrigue around Apple’s potential deal with Intel, suggesting a new tech stack or AI product is coming.
  • “The Intel play tells me that, alright, there’s something coming from this, right. The government’s been involved one and now you have Apple in talks. There’s something here that we have to do a deep dive into.” — Stock Club Member 2 [11:56]
• The speculative tone hints at potential big moves in Apple AI, possibly following Google’s playbook.

Tech Stocks as the New Bonds

[04:44]

• Broad consensus that the biggest tech firms (Apple, Microsoft, Google) are becoming safe havens much like bonds once were—major institutional capital is expected to flow to these giants for lower risk and decent yield.
  • “The big money is going to flow to places where it can get a return and not have to worry about a 25 or 60 decline. And in markets like this, I think they’re going to do a hell of a lot better.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:44]

Community Commentary and Stock Club Offers

[12:50–15:38]

• Stock Club remains bullish: “Apple has been a staple in stock club for the inception eight years.” — Stock Club Member 3 [12:50]
• Shout-outs to the Stock Club community, special membership offers, and educational opportunities are discussed (including access to real estate, trading, and future events at Nvidia campus).
• Playful banter about missing a “stock ticker” and the importance of patience in trading.

Notable Quotes

• “The rumors of its decline have been greatly overrated. Today when the market was down, Apple hit a 52 week high.” — Stock Club Member 3 [03:36]
• “Microsoft, Apple and Google are going to act like a safety haven, like a bond, because no one wants our American debt anymore… 25–33% [return] would effectively replace the bond market.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:44]
• “Let’s trust the regional approach that they said they were going to take... They now pass their number one back in China. The iPhone 17 beat all the sale projections.” — Stock Club Member 2 [05:20]
• “If you listen, I can make you money.” — Stock Club Member 1 [04:24]
• “I never said take Apple out [of the portfolio]... Stock Club, yes or no?” — Stock Club Member 1 [12:02]
• “Apple has been a staple in stock club for the inception eight years.” — Stock Club Member 3 [12:50]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:36] – Apple’s 52-week high, defying the “decline” narrative
• [04:44] – Apple, Microsoft, Google as “the new bonds” and institutional safety havens
• [05:20] – Apple’s global/regional plan, wins in China and India, iPhone 17 sales outpacing projections
• [06:03] – Apple’s AI strategy and leadership shake-up
• [11:56] – Intel partnership speculation, government involvement, future product hints
• [12:50] – Stock Club’s long-term commitment to Apple as a portfolio staple

Recap & Takeaways

• Apple’s narrative remains strong: Despite media speculation and market volatility, the company’s fundamentals and product performance—in particular the iPhone 17’s global resurgence—support continued investor optimism.
• Tech giants as financial “safe havens”: As global capital seeks stability and yield, Apple, Microsoft, and Google are the new go-to's for large-scale investors in a changing macro environment.
• AI is the next frontier: Apple’s path in AI remains somewhat opaque, but moves around leadership and possible partnerships with Intel could signal big announcements to come.
• Patience and strategic thinking win: The hosts reinforce that long-term positioning in solid tech stocks like Apple is paying off in 2024.
• Community matters: The show continues to emphasize the power of group learning, Stock Club resources, and the advantage of sticking with proven strategies and educating yourself.

This episode is a must-listen for investors seeking context on Apple’s resilience, shifting market paradigms in 2024, and how to position themselves for future tech-driven returns.