Apple CEO Change: How Will It Impact AAPL Shares?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Apple has announced that John Ternus will replace Tim Cook as CEO. Cook will take on the role of executive chairman starting 1 September 2026.

Ternus, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will join Apple’s Board of Directors upon officially assuming the CEO position. At the same time, Apple’s Non-Executive Chairman Arthur Levinson will become Lead Independent Director.

“Cook will continue in his role as CEO until the summer while working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition,” Apple stated in a press release quoted from CNBC Global on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

This is the first CEO transition at Apple since Cook, now 65 years old, replaced Steve Jobs in 2011, shortly before Jobs’s death. Ternus will become Apple’s eighth CEO.

“It is the greatest honour of my life to become CEO of Apple and to be entrusted with leading this extraordinary company,” Cook said in his statement.

“I love Apple with all my heart, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with such a smart, innovative, creative, and caring team that is always dedicated to enriching our customers’ lives and creating the best products and services in the world,” he added.

Apple also announced that Johny Srouji will take on the role of Chief Hardware Officer, replacing Ternus. Srouji, previously Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, will also lead the Hardware Engineering Division.

Apple shares closed up 1.04 per cent at 273.05 US dollars. Intraday, the price rose to near 274 US dollars at the start of the session before facing pressure and dropping to around 272 US dollars.

Entering the next session, the movement rose again but remained limited, trading in a narrow range of 272–273.5 US dollars. Towards the close, the shares strengthened again and held around 273 US dollars.

It is worth noting that Apple’s market capitalisation increased more than 20 times during Cook’s leadership, with a closing value of 4 trillion US dollars on Monday. Cook received total compensation of 74.6 million US dollars last year, including a base salary of 3 million US dollars and additional stock awards, according to the latest regulatory documents.

Forbes estimates his net worth at nearly 3 billion US dollars.