Ternus' Apple Takes Shape: R&D and AI Budget to Get Boost?
As Apple's new CEO John Ternus prepares to take over on September 1, 2026, analysts are speculating about his long-term strategy for the tech giant. One possibility is that he will expand the company's research and development (R&D) and artificial intelligence (AI) budget.
According to Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan, Apple's core business model will likely remain intact under Ternus' leadership, but the new CEO may change the firm's spending strategy to accelerate its AI efforts. A key signal of this shift came when Apple stopped using its net cash neutral goal, a plan set in 2018 to lower net cash through stock buybacks and dividends.
This move creates room for Apple to direct more cash into R&D and bigger corporate deals. The company is already putting more money into its software teams, with third-quarter research spending jumping 32% year-over-year to $11.7 billion.