Apple Stock Edges Up Overnight: Tim Cook Says ‘This Is Not Goodbye’ As Google, Microsoft CEOs Laud His Solid Run

• The change of guard generated a positive-to-mixed response from analysts and investors, with many seeing Ternus as a “continuity pick.”
• Apple shares declined 2.5% on Tuesday, even as retail sentiment for the stock improved.
• Google and Apple have deepened their relationship last year; Apple is using Gemini for its forthcoming AI features. 

Top bosses at Google and Microsoft on Tuesday praised Tim Cook as he draws to a close his impressive tenure as Apple's CEO, with Sundar Pichai hinting at continued close ties with the incoming chief executive, John Ternus.

Apple on Monday named Ternus, the head of Apple’s hardware division, as its next CEO, effective Sept. 1. Cook will transition to the executive chairman role. “I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and thank you for believing in me to lead the company that has always put you at the center of our work. This is not goodbye. It’s a hello to John and I can’t wait for you to get to know him like I do,” Cook posted on X.

The surprise move generated positive-to-mixed reactions on Wall Street, with observers seeing Ternus as a "continuity pick” who would build on the processes, culture, and focus established by Cook. Apple shares closed 2.5% lower on Tuesday, but edged higher in overnight trading.

JPMorgan said it views the "highly-awaited change of guard" at Apple positively. Ternus is a product-focused executive whom Apple could rely on at a time when it faces intense market competition to deliver next-generation form factors across smartphones and beyond. The research firm reiterated its ‘Overweight’ rating on Apple shares.

On Stocktwits, the retail sentiment for AAPL shifted to ‘bullish’ late Tuesday, from ‘neutral’ the previous day.

In Cook’s 15-year tenure, Apple’s market capitalization rose by over 1,000% to nearly $4 trillion, and annual revenue nearly tripled.
 

Apple and Google already have close ties. The iPhone maker receives upwards of $20 billion annually by keeping Google as the default search engine in Safari on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. In a major deal announced in late 2025, Apple said it would use Google’s Gemini to build AI features to roll out across Apple devices this year. 

“Congrats on an incredible run @tim_cook, always respected your deep commitment to Apple's mission and best wishes in your new role! Look forward to working with John as well!” Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet, said on X.

Microsoft also offered praise for Cook’s move. “Wishing you all the best in this next chapter, @tim_cook. You’ve always led with clarity and purpose, and your impact on Apple and across our industry will be felt for years to come. And congrats John!” CEO Satya Nadella said in an X post.

While Microsoft and Apple do not have a direct business partnership, the Windows maker famously invested $150 million in what was then called Apple Computer in 1997, which helped save the company from bankruptcy. Microsoft subsequently sold its entire stake in Apple in 2003 for a reported $550 million.

U.S. President Donald Trump also praised Cook in a long Truth Social post, calling him an “incredible guy.”

“I have always been a big fan of Tim Cook, and likewise, Steve Jobs, but if Steve was not taken from the Planet Earth so young, and ran the company instead of Tim, the company would have done well, but nowhere near as well as it has under Tim,” Trump said in the post.

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