The question "Who owns 1 of Apple?" is a bit misleading because it implies only one specific owner for a single share. In reality, shares of Apple (AAPL) are widely distributed among many investors. However, to clarify, no single entity or person "owns 1 of Apple" in isolation. Instead, we can discuss the ownership structure of Apple shares.
Ownership Structure of Apple Shares
Apple's stock is primarily owned by a variety of investors, including:
- Institutional Investors: These are large investment firms that hold significant portions of Apple's stock. As of September 16, 2024, major institutional investors like Vanguard, Blackrock, and Berkshire Hathaway collectively hold over 60% of Apple’s shares.
- Individual Investors: While many individuals own small numbers of Apple shares, none of them possess a single, unique share.
- Apple Executives: Although some Apple executives hold stock, their share is relatively small compared to the large institutional holders. For example, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, owns less than 1% of Apple stock. Arthur Levinson is the largest individual shareholder, possessing only 0.028%.
Example of Share Ownership
It’s not possible to point to an individual and say they own the number one share because shares are interchangeable. Imagine a pie being divided into many slices.
- Institutional investors get the biggest slices
- Individual investors and company leaders receive smaller pieces.
- All slices look identical.
It is similar with shares - they are traded on the market and are essentially identical to each other and held collectively within brokerage accounts. If you buy one share, you are given a claim for one share out of the total available shares.
Key Takeaways
- No Single Owner: No individual or entity owns "1 of Apple" exclusively.
- Collective Ownership: Shares are collectively held by many individuals and institutions.
- Dominant Institutions: Major institutional investors like Vanguard, Blackrock, and Berkshire Hathaway hold a significant portion of Apple's stock.
- Individual Holdings: While company executives and individuals hold shares, their portions are much smaller than those of institutional investors.
Therefore, instead of thinking about a single owner of a specific share, it’s more accurate to consider the overall distribution of Apple's stock.
