Resolution criteria

This market resolves YES if Tim Cook is no longer serving as Apple's Chief Executive Officer by March 31, 2026. This includes any transition where Cook moves to a different role (such as Chairman) while someone else assumes the CEO title. Resolution will be confirmed via Apple's official announcements, SEC filings, or major financial news outlets (Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC, Financial Times).

Background

Apple is ramping up efforts to prepare for Cook, who turned 65 in November, to potentially retire in 2026. The Financial Times recently reported that Cook has intensified his search for a successor. However, an earlier report that said Tim Cook would announce his retirement timeline before WWDC 2026 is being called false, with the report suggesting a transition would be announced being outright incorrect. John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, has been identified as "the most likely heir apparent." Cook has said his eventual retirement won't meet "the traditional definition" of the phrase, stating "I don't see being at home doing nothing" and "I think I'll always be wired in that kind of way and want to work."

Considerations

Speculation suggests that Cook will be sticking around at least through the current US presidency, which ends in January 2029. The company is unlikely to announce a new CEO before its earnings report in late January. If an announcement does occur, Cook is expected to stay on as Chairman of the board when he retires.