The Harsh Truth: Is It Time to Sell Apple Stock in 2025?

Summary

Earn Your Leisure Podcast Summary

Episode Title: The Harsh Truth: Is It Time to Sell Apple Stock in 2025?
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings

---

Introduction to the Topic

In this compelling episode of Earn Your Leisure, hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings delve into a provocative question poised at the heart of modern investing: Is it time to sell Apple stock in 2025? The discussion centers on Apple's performance, particularly its strides—or lack thereof—in artificial intelligence (AI) development, and the broader implications for investors.

---

Troy Millings' Bold Stance on Apple’s AI Development

The episode kicks off with Troy Millings expressing a strong stance on Apple's future in the AI landscape:

Troy Millings [01:20]: "Microsoft versus Apple okay, so can we just be honest? We won't even need to lead up most disappointing WWDC I've seen in the last Let me be hyperbolic and sensational. Last 15 years AI got kicked down the road to 2026. This is my announcement. If Apple does not deliver a significant AI development in 2026, I'm going to tell everybody to sell all of the Apple."

His assertive declaration underscores his skepticism about Apple's commitment and pace in AI advancements, setting the stage for a critical analysis of the tech giant's strategy.

---

Analyzing Apple's Recent Performance and Missed Opportunities

Rashad Bilal joins the conversation to dissect the current state of Apple’s stock and strategic movements:

Troy Millings [01:54]: "They are three months in the negative with no prospect for doing better. [...] They've just missed the ball at every turn."

The hosts highlight several areas where Apple has seemingly faltered:

1. Missed AI Investments: Despite partnerships with entities like Anthropic, Apple has not made substantial inroads into AI comparable to competitors.

2. Product Development Missteps: Innovations such as Liquid Glass and the emoji con have not resonated with consumers, indicating a disconnect between product offerings and market demand.

3. Leadership and Strategic Direction: Concerns are raised about Apple's leadership under Tim Cook, suggesting that insular decision-making may be hindering proactive innovation.

---

Potential for New Product Lines and Technological Advancements

In a pivot from criticism, Rashad Bilal acknowledges the work of individuals like Pavel and Sinata who are exploring future technologies:

Rashad Bilal [02:57]: "But that might be a hint as something that they are developing, which could be eyewear. Right. Because the, the technology of the glass is to see transparently."

This segment speculates whether Apple's advancements in Liquid Glass signal a foray into augmented reality (AR) eyewear, positioning Apple to compete with products like Meta Ray Bans:

Troy Millings [03:44]: "Would they be better than the Meta Ray Bans?"

The discussion suggests that while Apple may have missed current AI opportunities, there remains potential in emerging tech sectors if leveraged correctly.

---

Competitive Landscape and Strategic Investments

The hosts examine the broader AI and tech ecosystem, comparing Apple's positioning against other industry players:

Troy Millings [04:51]: "Google has made significant headwinds. The partnership with Microsoft and OpenAI. It doesn't get talked about that Apple could have bought into that same partnership structure with OpenAI."

Key points include:

• OpenAI and Microsoft Partnership: Highlighting how collaborations have propelled competitors ahead in AI advancements.

• Canva and Other Innovators: Mentioning companies like Canva that have made notable progress in AI, outpacing Apple's initiatives.

• Leadership Issues: The need for Tim Cook to possibly step down or for Apple to seek new leadership to foster innovation.

---

Apple’s Financial Position and Investment Potential

Rashad Bilal brings attention to Apple’s substantial financial reserves:

Rashad Bilal [05:22]: "Everybody agrees that AIs in its infancy stages are still in the first, maybe second inning. That treasure chest that they have, that 100, whatever 30 billion that they have."

However, Troy Millings counters this by suggesting that Apple's cautious investment strategy may be inhibiting immediate innovation:

Troy Millings [05:40]: "They’re parking in Treasuries like a hedge fund."

The conversation debates whether Apple's financial strategy allows for rapid deployment into emerging technologies or if it's holding back potential breakthroughs.

---

The Urgency of Proactive Innovation

As the discussion progresses, the necessity for Apple to adopt a more proactive approach becomes evident:

Troy Millings [07:33]: "It's too far ahead for that."

The hosts emphasize that reliance on other companies to lead in AI could leave Apple trailing, highlighting the urgency for internal innovation:

Rashad Bilal [07:20]: "Well, so, okay, well, there's a consistent reactive versus a proactive in terms of innovation, you're right."

This delineation underscores the critical balance between responding to market trends and pioneering new technologies.

---

Conclusion: Is It Time to Sell Apple Stock?

Throughout the episode, Troy Millings maintains a cautious outlook on Apple’s future, primarily hinging on the company's ability to make significant strides in AI by 2026. The hosts collectively suggest that while Apple remains a powerhouse with robust financials, its leadership decisions and strategic investments in AI and other emerging technologies could be pivotal in determining its stock's trajectory.

The episode encourages investors to closely monitor Apple's innovation pipeline and strategic moves, advocating for a proactive assessment of the company's direction in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Troy Millings [01:20]: "If Apple does not deliver a significant AI development in 2026, I'm going to tell everybody to sell all of the Apple."

• Troy Millings [04:51]: "Google has made significant headwinds. The partnership with Microsoft and OpenAI. It doesn't get talked about that Apple could have bought into that same partnership structure with OpenAI."

• Rashad Bilal [05:22]: "Everybody agrees that AIs in its infancy stages are still in the first, maybe second inning. That treasure chest that they have, that 100, whatever 30 billion that they have."

• Troy Millings [07:33]: "It's too far ahead for that."

---

This episode of Earn Your Leisure serves as a critical examination of Apple's current standing and future potential within the AI domain, providing valuable insights for investors and enthusiasts keen on understanding the intersection of technology and finance.

Transcript

[Rashad Bilal]

Earners. What's up? Look. This episode of Earn your leisure is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are all things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way versus visit progressive.com to see if you can save on your car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. This episode is brought to you by PNC Bank. A lot of people think podcasts about work are boring. And sure, they definitely can be. But understanding a professional's routine shows us how they achieve their success little by little, day after day. It's like banking with PNC Bank. It might seem boring to save, plan and make calculated decisions with your bank, but keeping your money boring is what helps you live a more happily fulfilled life. PNC Bank Brilliantly boring since 1865 Brilliantly boring since 1865 is a service mark of the PNC Financial Service Group Inc. PNC Bank National Association Member FDIC.

[Troy Millings]

Microsoft versus Apple okay, so can we just be honest? We won't even need to lead up most disappointing WWDC I've seen in the last Let me be hyperbolic and sensational. Last 15 years AI got kicked down the road to 2026. This is my announcement. If Apple does not deliver a significant AI development in 2026, I'm going to tell everybody to sell all of the Apple.

[Unknown]

What?

[Rashad Bilal]

Damn, that's strong.

[Troy Millings]

That's next year. So. So, so you. You potentially as of in a couple of months you could potentially liquidate every Apple position. Position? Yep. Why? Why? Oh they they had. Okay, well let's go to some facts. So they are three months in the negative with no prospect for doing better. You've had. I'm not even including Cursor or any other startups who have made significant headwinds in AI. They've just missed the ball at every turn. I know they have the anthropic partnership they they talked about but to be a tech leader and not have a sign we got liquid Glass. Nobody asked for that. No one asked for the emoji con. Like it's just you is is them not reading the room. It's like if I'm go ahead.

[Rashad Bilal]

No, I only go because I want to give somebody some high praise shout out to Sinata. I know we brought her up last week. So now Pavel, who's one of the most incredible moms when it comes to AI in terms of the liquid glass. She had a dope pose and maybe we'll repost it. Y' all go check her out. But she said that you're right, nobody asks for the liquid glass when it comes to the foam. But that might be a hint as something that they are developing, which could be eyewear. Right. Because the, the technology of the glass is to see transparently. And so how do you interact with the world while having glass on? That's the technology that they said, yeah, who needs it on a phone? You're not looking. But if they develop the technology, is that now a precursor for what is to come? Which kind of got me thinking, like, they better have something that this is going to be useful.

[Troy Millings]

Would they be better than the Meta Ray Bans?

[Rashad Bilal]

Meta Ray Bans is clicking. I can't front. I see people just wearing those out.

[Troy Millings]

They're getting better. Like, okay, imagine if we talked about investing and like I just missed Nvidia being pro Chevron. That is the equivalent of what Apple has done. Google has made significant headwinds. The partnership with Microsoft and open AI. It doesn't get talked about that Apple could have bought into that same partnership structure with open AI. They missed Claude. We talked it on the hardware standpoint. They missed buying dji. They've just missed on too many fronts. And it seems like that the leadership culture is so insulated amongst each other they're not seen and looking ahead to what's next. Love the company, but I just think it's either time to either Tim Cook goes to the chairman seat and they need another CEO.

[Rashad Bilal]

What?

[Troy Millings]

Or they need significant headwinds in AI develop. Like it's 30 companies that are available that could be for purchase. That would help. Like Siri probably is the worst performing automation tool in all of tech. In comparison, Canva has made bigger headwinds in AI than Apple. How the does that happen? So if you. Okay, so if you sell a Apple, what company takes that to tech to index? It's a great question. Get your tickets to Invest Festival.

[Rashad Bilal]

But doesn't that treasure chest almost give it some leeway to say whatever's next and whenever. Like, Everybody agrees that AIs in its infancy stages are still in the first, maybe second inning. That treasure chest that they have, that 100, whatever 30 billion that they have.

[Troy Millings]

They'Re parking in Treasuries like a hedge fund.

[Rashad Bilal]

But they could potentially just skip the line and say that's the next technology and hey, we gotta. But they still have a chance. Or is it too late? Open AI so far ahead that that is clearly going to be the technology and Everybody else playing second place.

[Troy Millings]

Okay, here's the landscape cursor AI Grok X a high OpenAI anthropic camp does Canva. That's six companies that have gotten significantly better, three of which they could have purchased. It's not the issue of capital. It's. It's a leadership issue. So no different than like Thibodeau had a good team, couldn't get to the promised land. Now, I'm not saying that Tim is Thibodeau, but having the capital and not allocating them properly are two different things. Or I will respect it more if they just said, hey, we're not going to invest significantly into AI, but we're going to focus on these sectors. I can live with that. What happened to the developments in healthcare they were doing three or four years ago? Went to the wayside and I keep bringing this up. That beef that Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg has has clouded Tim Cook's judgment for the last three years. Even with the car. The car thing was to get Elon out of the way because they had a little kerfuffle. I. I need. And the issue isn't the employees or some of the SVPs there. It's the upper management that is stopping this from happening. So I just need to see more innovation and quiz question for everyone tonight. How much has it dropped since October of last year?

[Rashad Bilal]

Well, so, okay, well, there's a consistent reactive versus a proactive in terms of innovation. You're right.

[Troy Millings]

And this isn't one of those cases where they can let everyone else develop the technology and they come in and take it.

[Rashad Bilal]

Right.

[Troy Millings]

It's too far ahead for that.

[Unknown]

When you're with Amex Business Platinum, going the extra mile for your business pays off. With five times membership rewards, points, points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com you can earn more points to help grow your business. And with access to more than 1400 lounges globally through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including the Centurion Lounge.

Can I get you a refill?

You can stay fresh wherever your business travel takes you. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Learn more@American Express.com AmExBusiness.

Ever wanted to explore the world of online trading but haven't dared try? The futures market is more active now than ever. And Plus500Futures is the perfect place to start. Plus500 gives you access to a wide range of instruments, S&P 500, NASDAQ, Bitcoin, gas and much more. Explore equity indices, energy, metals, Forex, Crypto and beyond with a simple and intuitive platform. You can trade from anywhere right from your phone deposit with a minimum of $100 and experience the fast accessible futures trading you've been waiting for. See a trading opportunity? You will be able to trade it in just two clicks once your account is open. Not sure if you're ready? Not a problem. Plus500 gives you an unlimited risk free demo account with charts and analytic tools for you to practice on. With over 20 years of experience, Plus500 is your gateway to the markets. Visit us.+500.com to learn more. Trading in futures involves the risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone. Not all applicants will qualify. Qualify +500 it's trading with a plus.