Tim Cook Leaves Apple 13 Times Bigger Than He Found It: 5 Milestones From His 15 Years

After 15 years leading Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Tim Cook is stepping down from the CEO role. Cook took over in August 2011, when a gravely ill Steve Jobs resigned weeks before his death — leaving Cook to follow the most celebrated product visionary in tech. Investors in Apple stock have been pleased by gains over the last 15 years. A market expert highlights five top milestones accomplished by Cook during his Apple CEO tenure.

Tim Cook’s Apple Accomplishments

Serving almost exactly 15 years, Cook led Apple from Aug. 24, 2011 through Aug. 31, 2026. Cook was tasked with following up on Jobs, a role that many may have failed in.

"Those were enormous shoes to fill, and not only did Cook fill them, he wore them well – rewarding investors magnificently along the way," Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods said in a weekly newsletter.

Here are five Cook highlights from Woods.

1. Stock Gains: During his time leading Apple, the technology company went from around a $350 billion company to more than $4 trillion today.

"Cook may never have been viewed as the product visionary Jobs was, but the numbers speak for themselves."

Today, Apple is the second most valuable company in the world at $4.585 trillion, trailing only Nvidia Corporation ($5.307 trillion).

2. Apple Ecosystem: During Cook’s tenure, the CEO helped usher in new products like the Apple Watch, AirPods, AppleTV+, services and silicon chips.

3. Execution: Woods says Cook’s "strength was execution." While Apple was already an iconic company, Cook helped make the technology giant one of the most profitable and valuable businesses globally.

4. Dow Jones Industrial Average: Apple became one of a handful of technology companies to join the Dow Jones Industrial Average when it replaced AT&T in 2015. The move followed Microsoft, which was added in 1999 and made Apple one of the most important technology stocks across multiple market indexes. Today, Apple is the 13^th largest holding in the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE:DIA), which tracks the index, at 3.5% of assets.

5. Warren Buffett Buy: Not known for buying technology stocks, former Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK)(NYSE:BRK) CEO Warren Buffett made a surprising purchase of Apple stock in 2016 for the conglomerate. Buffett would add to the position multiple times making Apple the largest stock in the company’s investment fund. While Berkshire Hathaway has sold some of its Apple stock in recent years, the stock remains the largest holding the stock portfolio of the company with 227.9 million shares valued at $72.9 billion.

What’s Next for Tim Cook, Apple

"Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO. My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will," Cook tweeted Monday.

Cook will be succeeded by John Ternus, while Cook will transition into the role of executive chairman.

"Now the keys are being handed to John Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran who has led hardware engineering and helped oversee everything from the iPhone and Mac to Apple’s successful transition away from Intel chips," Woods said.

Woods highlights that Ternus is around the same age as Cook was when he became Apple’s CEO.

"Cook proved you could successfully replace a legend, now Ternus gets the unenviable task."

Apple previously said that Cook will remain closely involved in the government and policy relationships. This comes as Cook has maintained a positive relationship with President Donald Trump.

“As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world,” Apple said.

Photo: Tim Cook, Shutterstock; Apple iPhone 16e, courtesy Apple