In 15 years of leading Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), CEO Tim Cook helped the company go from a market capitalization of $350 billion to around $4.6 trillion.
While that is impressive and something many thought was impossible, a market expert used Cook’s exit from the company to highlight something he admired more about the leader.
Tim Cook’s Top Quality
Deepwater Asset Management Managing Partner Gene Munster was among the key investment figures to issue statements as Cook was set to leave Apple, with his last day leading the company being Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.
"I’ve been dreading this day: Tim’s last day as CEO of Apple," Munster writes in a blog post.
Munster had plenty to say about Cook’s highlights while leading Apple, but perhaps what stood out in the blog post was the investor’s recognition of a top quality the former Apple CEO had.
"What I most admire about Cook is that despite all of the fortune and fame of becoming the world’s most powerful CEO, he kept his North Star and always cared deeply about people."
Munster says that this contribution doesn’t have much to do with Apple’s market capitalization but is worth highlighting.
"Over the past 20 years of interacting with and observing Cook, what stands out most to me is his ability to achieve meteoric success while continuing to be someone who genuinely wants to do good, not only for Apple but for the world."
Cook’s Business Success
Munster also made sure to note that Cook achieved many business accomplishments while CEO of Apple.
"He took [Steve] Job’s greatest product, Apple itself, and shepherded it into a new era," Munster said.
The investor said Cook recognized the iPhone was more than a device and turned Services into a huge segment for Apple, an item that helped boost profitability.
"When Cook took over in 2011, Apple’s overall gross margin was 40.5%. In the June 2026 quarter, it was 50.1%. Services itself carried a 75.6% gross margin in the quarter.
Munster also gives credit to Cook for writing the book for CEOs "on how to navigate geopolitics."
Cook invested early in a direct relationship with the White House during President Donald Trump’s first term, Munster said.
Munster also credited Cook with having had a strong relationship with the White House and Chinese leadership.
"Somehow he kept everyone happy."
Even though Cook stepped down as CEO, he is expected to do some of the geopolitical work as executive chairman, as Munster highlighted in the blog post.
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