Before Friday’s opening bell, reports were released that Apple (AAPL) will be added to the Dow 30. Here’s what the news means for mutual fund investors.

Inside the News

Apple will be added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on March 18. The technology giant will replace AT&T, which has been a Dow member since 1939.

This is the first change to the Dow since September 2013, and the first change involving just one company since 2012.

How Will Apple Shares React?

Shares of Apple were up 1.6% on Friday morning, as news reports continue to circulate the investing world. The stock may be reacting positively for now, but how will Apple’s stock react long-term?

Looking back to the last time the Dow 30 made changes in September 2013, Goldman Sachs (GS) shares rose 35% , Nike (NKE) shares rose over 60% and Visa (V) shares rose 30% in the six months after being added to the index. That compares to the S&P 500 increasing around 6% during the same period.

From the last example, it is reasonable for investors to be optimistic about the near-term future of Apple, but it will ultimately be up to Apple to continue beating expectations and launching exciting products in order to sustain positive momentum over the long-haul.

Mutual Funds to Watch

Investors interested in AAPL may be interested in the funds listed below. These funds currently have the largest stakes in the company.

The Bottom Line

The funds listed above allow investors to gain exposure to AAPL while remaining diversified. Investors interested in AAPL may also be interested in Microsoft (MSFT) and Google (GOOG).

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