How You Can Invest in One of the World‘s Greatest Companies

As both a long-time Apple user and investing hobbyist, I couldn‘t help but wonder—should I put some money behind my loyalty to this legendary brand?

When we look at Apple‘s incredible rise from nearly bankrupt in the 90s to the first $3 trillion company in history today, it almost seems like a no-brainer to invest. Especially if you already rely on their cutting-edge devices daily like I do.

But how practically can the average person get a piece of the action? What‘s the smartest way to approach buying Apple stock?

As an experienced retail investor and self-proclaimed Apple fanboy, let me guide you through the beginner-friendly options to invest in one the world‘s greatest companies…

An Empire Built on Non-Stop Innovation

Before deciding whether to buy shares, it helps to understand what makes Apple so dominant. Because this context clues us into how much growth potential remains ahead.

Founded back in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Apple transformed personal computing with trend-setting products like:

• Mac computers – Pioneered widespread adoption of graphical user interfaces
• iPod/iTunes – Drove the explosion of mobile digital music
• iPhone – Created the modern concept of smartphone computing
• iPad – Leading innovator of the post-PC tablet era
• Apple Watch – Mainstreaming smart wearables technology

And over the last 15 years, Apple has taken this recipe for non-stop innovation to unprecedented new heights:

Rather than resting on past successes, Apple keeps pushing the boundaries into newer technologies with massive growth upside in front of them.

For shareholders, this commitment to shaping the future provides tremendous confidence that Apple still has its best days ahead even after minting millionaires out of early investors.

3 Beginner-Friendly Ways You Can Invest

Several paths exist for accessing a piece of Apple‘s upside. Let‘s compare the 3 most common options:

1. Online Brokerage Account

Opening a brokerage account offers the simplest way to directly buy Apple shares under your name. Within about 15 minutes, you can:

1. Apply online by submitting personal details to open account
2. Electronically transfer funds as your initial deposit
3. Search ticker "AAPL‘ to lookup Apple stock
4. Input share quantity to invest any amount into fractional shares or whole shares
5. Review & submit your order to have brokerage firm execute the trade

Top reputable brokerages I recommend checking out include:

• Fidelity – $0 trades + extensive research available
• Charles Schwab- $0 trading commissions on stocks
• TD Ameritrade – User-friendly mobile app

The key advantage of using an online brokerage is maintaining full control over buying/selling decisions while benefiting from today‘s $0 trade commissions.

But some additional guidance early on would still prove helpful for new investors. That‘s where working with a professional advisor often makes sense too…

2. Financial Advisor

For investors who want customized guidance, teaming up with a personal financial advisor provides professional management tailored to your situation.

During your vetting process, verify credentials through regulatory organizations like the SEC or Certified Financial Planner Board.

Once you pick an advisor, they‘ll design a long-term plan aiming to:

• Allocate your portfolio across stocks, bonds, etc.
• Select specific assets fitting your investment timeframe
• Continually rebalance over time as markets shift

Reputable advisor relationships ften last for years and cover far more than just placing the trades. Through education and check-ins, they act like an ongoing personalized consultant aiming to grow your wealth.

The exact percentage of your capital they recommend investing into Apple stock will vary based on the balance of risks in your total portfolio.

3. Index & Exchange-Traded Funds

Seeking exposure to Apple through index funds or ETFs offers an instantly-diversified approach compared to buying shares outright.

As one of the largest S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 companies, Apple holds major weightings in benchmark indexes like:

• S&P 500 ETFs (VOO, IVV, SPY) with 7.35% Apple allocation
• Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) with ~13% Apple weight
• SPDR Technology Select Sector ETF (XLK) with 18% Apple

Rather than risking capital on just a single stock, index funds provide fractional ownership of the 500-largest US companies or 100-largest tech stocks – including Apple.

So every dollar invested immediately buys you exposure to Apple‘s upside while minimizing overall volatility.

For hands-off investors who still want Apple‘s success contributing to their nest egg, index fund investing offers a smart compromise. Leading fund providers such as Vanguard, iShares, and SPDR allow cheap and easy access.

Now that we‘ve surveyed the landscape, let‘s look at why I‘m so optimistic for Apple to continue minting bigger shareholder returns over the long run…

Apple Still Has Massive Runway Ahead

Given Apple recently crossed a staggering $3 trillion market capitalization, is it possible they still have room keep growing as a company?

Based on multiple indicators I follow as an tech analyst, my verdict is an emphatic yes:

Mitigating risk from smartphones – iPhones provide over 50% of Apple‘s business today. But newer emerging categories like services, wearables, VR headsets will increasingly drive revenues over the next decade.

Innovation engine running hot – Between leading-edge Apple Silicon chips powering Macs and secretive new product labs, Apple‘s $20+ billion in R&D should keep its pipeline flush with revolutionary devices.

Balance sheet fortress – Apple has fortified its finances to navigate uncertainty and seize strategic opportunities:

|| Cash Reserves | Annual Free Cash Flow | Return on Equity |
|-|-|-|-|
|Latest Data | $170 billion| $111 billion | 147% |
|10-Year Change | +327% | +284% | 2x Increase |

Bolstered by mountains of cash, steadily rising profits, and a fiercely loyal customer base, Apple exhibits one of corporate America‘s most dominant competitive moats.

For buy-and-hold shareholders like us, this establishes fertile ground to keep compounding wealth over the long run.

Determine the Right Amount & Approach For You

Whether you ultimately decide to buy Apple stock comes down to personal factors like:

• Your risk tolerance
• Investment timeline
• Need for diversification across asset classes
• Desire for professional guidance

As your experience level grows, a blended approach between direct stock picking and passive index funds often makes sense for most individual investors.

But no matter how you gain exposure, hopefully this breakdown better equips you to evaluate adding Apple equity to your portfolio.

I wish you the best as you look to profit from revolutionary brands advancing our technological capabilities – just like Apple has for the past 40+ years!