Is Apple Stock 'Dead Money' in July 2025? Watch This AAPL Options Indicator Now.

Apple (AAPL) has been the odd one out in 2025.

While stocks like Nvidia (NVDA) and Meta (META) have led the AI-fueled rally, Apple has lagged — trading mostly sideways and currently one of the worst-performing stocks of the Magnificent 7, surpassed only by the notoriously volatile Tesla (TSLA).

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So what’s behind the underperformance in AAPL stock? And could this selloff be the calm before a breakout in the second half of the year?

Apple: The “Dead Money” Mag 7 Stock?

Down 18% year-to-date, Apple has gained a respectable 21% since the market’s April lows, while Nvidia surged by a staggering 82% in the same period. Plus, at the end of June, Apple was the only Magnificent 7 stock currently trading below both its 100-day and 200-day moving averages (even including TSLA).

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This trend has frustrated investors, but some traders are watching this consolidation closely — especially as volatility in other mega-cap names starts to cool.

DOJ Antitrust Case Moves Forward

A federal judge just rejected Apple’s request to dismiss the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit — which accuses the tech giant of maintaining a “walled garden” that suppresses competition and inflates profit margins.

While this won’t impact day-to-day price action just yet, it’s a macro pressure to be aware of — especially for long-term investors.

Apple’s AI Struggles — But a Comeback May Be Brewing

Despite leading the hardware revolution, Apple has been lagging in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. But that may be changing.

Rumors suggest Apple could acquire Perplexity AI, a ChatGPT rival. The company also announced a $500 billion investment over 4 years into Apple Intelligence.

With a massive device ecosystem already in place, the real question is: will Apple’s delayed push into consumer AI be enough to catch up?

Politicians Are Buying, Insiders Are Selling

Apple insiders have sold shares for 12 straight months — with zero insider buys reported.

But there’s one exception: Congressman Ro Khanna disclosed a purchase of Apple stock at the end of May. That stands out, especially when paired with the chart setup.

AAPL’s Put/Call Ratio Is Dropping — Bullish Setup?

According to Barchart’s Put/Call Ratio, the open interest ratio is falling as price holds steady — a potential sign that bearish bets are being closed and bulls are quietly stepping in.

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As traders know, a falling put/call ratio often precedes a breakout.

What to Watch on Barchart

If you’re watching Apple for a potential breakout, here’s where to start:

• Magnificent 7 Watchlist – See how Apple compares to the rest of its mega-cap peers
• Put/Call Ratio Page – Monitor sentiment shifts in the options market
• Politician Insider Trading – Follow smart money moves

Watch the Video

Get the full breakdown of Apple’s chart setup, insider activity, and key levels to watch by checking out the quick video:

On the date of publication, Barchart Insights did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.