I just noticed that Apple’s stock closed 2024 very strongly. The price surged to $259 at the end of the year, resulting in a total gain of 33% for the year, outperforming the Nasdaq-100 which increased by only 25.9%. This is definitely something worth paying attention to.

Apple’s success comes from their continued focus on what they do best: selling high-quality products with excellent profit margins. Unlike competitors chasing the AI trend, Apple remains cautious. Services like the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV+ continue to grow. In the last quarter of fiscal year 2024, revenue reached $94.9 billion, up 6% year-over-year. This indicates that Apple’s stock still has strong momentum.

What’s interesting about Apple’s story is their continuous development. From the iMac, iPod, iPhone to the present, the company has never stopped innovating. Under Tim Cook’s leadership after Steve Jobs’ passing, Apple expanded its ecosystem of products and services, launching Apple Watch, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and Apple TV+. All of these have become significant revenue sources.

If you’re interested in investing in Apple stock, there are two main ways. The first is buying actual shares through a securities company in Thailand, such as opening an account, transferring money, and placing an order, or buying Apple DRx on the Thai stock market (AAPL80X). Both methods give you ownership of real shares, dividends, and shareholder rights.

The second way is speculative trading via CFDs, which doesn’t require full capital upfront. You can start with just $50-100. This method allows you to profit from both upward and downward trends. It’s suitable for short-term traders, but the risks are higher.

What makes Apple stock attractive is its strong financial position, diverse revenue streams, loyal customer base, and consistent dividend payments. The company has plenty of free cash flow, enabling frequent share buybacks and dividend distributions.

However, there are risks to consider, such as competition from Samsung, Google, Huawei, rapid technological changes, and over-reliance on the iPhone. Additionally, supply chain issues, macroeconomic factors, currency exchange rates, and regulatory changes pose potential risks.

From an analyst’s perspective, the target price range for Apple stock is between $167 and $294, with ratings from hold to buy. If you’re looking for a stable long-term investment, Apple remains a viable option—especially if you believe in the company’s ability to adapt to technological changes.

For traders or those interested in entering the investment system, Gate offers various options, whether through traditional stock purchases, DRx, or CFDs, depending on your style and investment goals.