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Jim Cramer Urges Action on Apple Following Trade Tariff Exemptions
Apple’s shares experienced a notable increase of 4% on Monday, propelling its market capitalization back above $3 trillion. This surge occurred after President Donald Trump announced that significant tariffs on electronics, including smartphones and computers, would not apply. This announcement came as a reprieve for tech companies facing steep “reciprocal” tariffs—particularly those impacting a broad range of Chinese imports, although a 20% tariff on fentanyl products from China will stay in place.
During his Monday Morning Meeting, Jim Cramer commented on the stock’s performance, suggesting that investors consider trimming their Apple positions while capitalizing on the momentary strength in share prices. “Sell some. Keep a lot,” he advised, echoing sentiments expressed in his Sunday column where he argued for a measured approach to profit-taking on Apple. Had the Club not been restricted, they would have proceeded with this strategic sell-off.
The last time the Club adjusted its Apple holdings was on December 26, when the stock reached its previous high. Despite being down 18% for the year 2025, Apple has recently rebounded, gaining nearly 20% since plummeting to $172 on April 8. However, it is still significantly below its December record closing price of $259.
Implications of Recent Trade Policy Changes
Cramer expressed hesitation about the sustainability of Apple’s recent rally, pointing to the volatile nature of trade policy changes enacted by the Trump administration, which could lead to uncertainty for the company. Notably, Sunday’s comments from Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that the exemptions, while beneficial now, may not be permanent. “Trim some Apple potentially into strength, just to take some chips off the table after a big rebound off the bottom,” advised Jeff Marks, Director of Portfolio Analysis for the Investing Club.
Apple’s Commitment to U.S. Investments
While Apple has made public commitments to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, skepticism remains regarding the actual implementation of these plans. Cramer noted the perception in the White House that Apple’s prior commitments have not been fully realized, as current plans lack immediate readiness. This scrutiny underscores the company’s need to expedite its U.S. investment strategy to alleviate concerns from the administration.
In a contrast to Apple’s struggles, rival Nvidia has announced ambitious plans to manufacture its AI supercomputers in the U.S., with forecasts projecting $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure development domestically in the next four years. This action positions Nvidia favorably amidst evolving trade dynamics while highlighting Apple’s ongoing challenges.
Market Reactions and Analyst Perspectives
Wall Street sentiments regarding Apple’s rally reflect cautious optimism. Analysts at JPMorgan have revised their price target for Apple downwards from $270 to $245, emphasizing that although the new exemptions provide short-term relief, significant concerns about the stock’s future remain due to the overarching trade war implications. They highlighted that a slowdown in consumer spending driven by macroeconomic uncertainty could impact iPhone sales, regardless of these recent exemptions.
Conversely, not all analysts share this cautious stance. KeyBanc upgraded Apple’s stock from a sell to a hold-equivalent rating, deeming the recent developments as beneficial and suggesting that previous downside projections no longer seem achievable.
As events unfold, it’s clear that Apple is navigating through complex trade landscapes while trying to mitigate risks associated with its heavy reliance on China. To further diversify and safeguard its revenue streams, Apple will need to act swiftly, particularly with looming tariff challenges linked to other emerging markets.
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