-- Apple's (AAPL) incoming CEO, John Ternus, needs to get the company's AI strategy right and sharpen its approach to turning that technology into new revenue streams, Wedbush Securities said Tuesday in a report.
Apple's software and services growth depends on its "unrivaled" installed base, and innovation around foldable devices, an AI-enabled iPhone, and more affordable Apple Glasses will be central to the company's next chapter, the report said.
Ternus is expected to bring in more outside innovation, and a shift away from Apple's historically cautious stance on mergers and acquisitions will be important, Wedbush said.
"Apple has more cash, consumers, and brand recognition than any company in the
world," the report said. "Now is the time to flex the muscles and go on the offensive instead of the defensive."
Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO and will become executive chairman, effective Sept. 1. Ternus currently is senior vice president of hardware engineering.
Wedbush maintained its outperform rating on Apple stock with a $350 price target.
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