Apple Stock News: The World’s Most Admired Company

Apple Stock News: Apple topped Fortune’s list of the world’s most admired companies for the 18th consecutive year. The ranking is based on a survey of 3,380 business leaders who evaluate companies on nine criteria, including innovation and social responsibility. Following Apple are Microsoft and Amazon. In 2025, Nvidia took fourth place for the first time due to its achievements in artificial intelligence and GPU development. Berkshire Hathaway, Costco, and JPMorgan Chase also made it into the top seven. ServiceNow, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Novo Nordisk entered the top 50 for the first time. All ten leading companies in the ranking are based in the United States for the second year in a row.
Apple Pay

Apple Pay now supports Citi Flex Pay, enabling U.S. Citi cardholders to make Apple Pay purchases in installments using the Flex Pay option. Citi Flex Pay is available for purchases over $75, with various repayment periods offered for a monthly fee. To use it, you need to add your Citi card to Apple Pay and choose the ‘Pay Later’ option during checkout. Previously, Apple had its own buy now, pay later service called Apple Pay Later, but it was discontinued. Now, the company collaborates with other installment payment providers such as Affirm, Klarna, and Synchrony.
New HomePod Mini

The HomePod mini, released in November 2020, may see a new version later this year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the updated model will feature Apple’s combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with Wi-Fi 6E support, improving upon the current Wi-Fi 4 capabilities. Likely enhancements include a newer “S” chip, better sound quality, new colors, and an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for smoother Handoff experiences. Additionally, Apple is planning to introduce a new smart home hub with a 6-7 inch display and built-in speaker, potentially resembling the HomePod mini in certain aspects.