Tim Cook Is Handing Off Apple to John Ternus as CEO on Sept. 1. Here's How Apple's Stock Has Performed Over Cook's 15-Year Tenure.

Tim Cook steps down as AAPL CEO on September 1, 2026, handing leadership to John Ternus after a 15-year run that delivered a 2,680% total return including dividends and buybacks. The iPhone maker's stock massively outpaced the S&P 500 during Cook's tenure, while revenue climbed 330% and gross profit rose 410%.

Cook's legacy carries mixed signals for investors. The operational execution drove extraordinary shareholder returns, but AAPL now faces scrutiny over delays in Apple Intelligence and AI-powered features. The company is relying on GOOG's Gemini for foundational AI models, underscoring a strategic gap in the most critical technology race of the decade.

The transition to Ternus arrives as Apple's AI competitiveness remains in question. While Cook presided over unprecedented capital appreciation, the next chapter hinges on whether Apple can reclaim technology leadership or remains dependent on competitors for core capabilities.