Published Date: March 14, 2025
Author: Global World Citizen News Team
Source: GlobalWorldCitizen.com
Despite a rough week for Apple, Nancy Tengler, CEO and CIO of Laffer Tengler Investments, believes the tech giant’s recent struggles present an opportunity for long-term investors.
Tengler, known for her expertise in “old economy” stock picks, shared her insights on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” during the “Three-Stock Lunch” segment. She also weighed in on Starbucks and Adobe, offering a mix of bullish and bearish outlooks.
Apple: A Market Disappointment or a Smart Buy?
Apple’s stock plunged nearly 11% this past week, extending its year-to-date decline to 15%. The dip follows news that the company delayed its AI-driven Siri upgrades until 2026, a setback from its original 2025 timeline.
Despite the short-term troubles, Tengler remains optimistic.
“I think you can buy it here,” she said. “There have been two great times to buy this stock—after the Apple Maps debacle and after the 2019 earnings warning. Since then, the stock has risen 1,100% and 550%, respectively. Investors who step in when Apple disappoints the market tend to win big in the long run.”
Apple’s long-term performance remains strong, with shares still up over 23% in the past 12 months.
Starbucks: A Turnaround in Progress
Tengler is bullish on Starbucks, calling it a “Brian Niccol story” in reference to the company’s CEO, who took over in September 2024 after leading Chipotle’s successful turnaround.
Stock Performance: Up 28% since Niccol took over. Strategic Moves: Cutting discounts, simplifying the menu, reducing corporate overhead. Dividend Growth: 9% average growth over the past five years. Earnings Outlook: Expected to accelerate.
While Starbucks shares are down 13% in the last month, they are still up 7.4% year-to-date—outpacing the S&P 500.
Tengler’s take: “You’re getting paid to wait. The dividend growth is strong, and with the company’s recent pullback, this is a stock to buy and hold for the long term.”
Adobe: A Value Trap?
Unlike Apple and Starbucks, Adobe received a bearish outlook from Tengler.
Stock Performance:
- Down 12% this past week.
- Down 11% year-to-date.
- Down 31% over the past year.
Investor Concerns:
- Despite beating earnings estimates, Adobe’s AI monetization strategy remains unclear.
- Management has been evasive about how they plan to charge for AI-driven services.
- Investors are skeptical of long-term growth potential.
Tengler’s take: “This company continues to disappoint. They have pricing power but haven’t raised prices in years. There are potential catalysts ahead, but they’re just not delivering yet.”
With an investor day coming up, Tengler advises waiting before making any moves on Adobe.
Bottom Line: Tengler’s Investment Outlook
Apple: A long-term buying opportunity amid short-term struggles. Starbucks: A turnaround play with strong dividend growth. Adobe: 
A value trap with uncertain AI strategy—wait and see.
Investor takeaway? Apple and Starbucks offer attractive entry points, while Adobe remains a risky bet for now.
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