Apple CEO Tim Cook sells shares worth $88 million (Rs 740 cr) as firm's valuation declines to $628 billion

Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has sold a substantial portion of his Apple shares, marking his most extensive sale in the last two years. Regulatory filings reveal that Cook parted with 511,000 shares, ultimately profiting $41.5 million after taxes. This decision coincides with Cook's strategic move to leverage Apple's declining valuation, which has seen a substantial drop of $628 billion this year.

The sale took place over two consecutive days, with Cook selling 270,000 shares on Friday and an additional 241,000 shares on Monday. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission's filing, the total proceeds from this sale amounted to $88 million. Post-tax deductions, Cook received approximately $41.5 million. This sale of Apple shares is the most substantial one since August 2021, when Cook sold $750 million worth of Apple shares before tax obligations.

Despite this sale, Cook's overall stake in the company remains unchanged, as he has received the same number of shares as part of his annual compensation plan. Currently, Cook still retains ownership of 3.3 million Apple shares, which hold an approximate value of $565 million.


Additionally, Cook is slated to receive 73,010 more restricted stock units that will vest in three stages on April 1 in 2026, 2027, and 2028. He has also been granted 219,030 performance-based restricted stock units, expected to vest on October 1, 2026.

Other high-ranking Apple executives, Deirdre O'Brien and Katherine Adams, have also sold significant portions of their Apple shares, each worth $11 million before taxes, as disclosed in separate regulatory filings.

This series of share sales by Cook and other Apple executives is believed to be in response to the rare downturn in Apple's stock market performance. In September, the company experienced a notable decline, losing 9 percent of its overall value.

It's worth noting that Apple still maintains its status as the world's most valuable tech company, with a market capitalization of $2.7 trillion. Although this reflects a year-to-date increase of $628 billion, it stands as a $376 billion decline from the company's peak valuation of $3.1 trillion in July.