What is the App Store antitrust case and why does it matter?

Antitrust law is designed to prevent any one company from having too much control over a market in a way that harms competition or consumers. In this case, Apple has been challenged over the fees and rules it imposes on developers who sell through its App Store. A court found Apple in contempt for not complying with earlier rulings, and Apple has now asked the Supreme Court to weigh in. If the courts ultimately rule against Apple, it could force the company to allow developers to use alternative payment systems — which would have a significant knock-on effect for a wide range of businesses.

What does Apple's 27% commission actually mean?

When a developer sells a subscription, a game upgrade, or any digital product through an iPhone app, Apple typically takes a cut of every transaction — currently around 27% to 30%. So if you pay £10 for a subscription, the developer might only receive around £7 or £7.30. That is a significant portion of revenue that businesses lose simply for being on Apple's platform. If this commission is reduced or removed, those businesses could become meaningfully more profitable without needing to grow their customer base at all.

What is a profit margin and why does it matter for these stocks?

A profit margin is the percentage of revenue a company actually keeps after paying all its costs. For example, if a company earns £100 and keeps £15 after expenses, its profit margin is 15%. For the companies in this group, Apple's commission is one of those costs. If they no longer have to pay it — or pay a much smaller amount — their profit margin improves directly. Higher margins often lead to stronger earnings, which can positively influence a company's share price.

What is a digital payment processor and how do they benefit here?

A digital payment processor is a company that handles the technical side of moving money from a customer to a business — think of firms like PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard. Currently, many in-app purchases go through Apple's own payment system. If developers are allowed to use third-party processors instead, companies like those in this group could see a significant increase in the volume of transactions they handle — which translates into more revenue for them.

What does 'antitrust' mean?

Antitrust refers to a set of laws that protect fair competition in the marketplace. Governments use antitrust rules to prevent monopolies — situations where one company becomes so dominant that it can dictate unfair terms to customers or competitors. In this context, regulators are questioning whether Apple's control over its App Store and its payment rules give it an unfair advantage that harms developers and ultimately consumers.

Is this group of stocks risky?

Like all investments, there is an element of risk involved. This group is themed around a specific legal and regulatory outcome, which means its performance is partly tied to how the Apple antitrust case unfolds. If the courts do not rule in favour of greater openness, some of the anticipated benefits for these companies may not materialise. That said, many of the companies in this group are well-established businesses with strong fundamentals beyond this theme. As always, it is important to consider your personal financial situation before investing.

15 handpicked stocks

App Store Antitrust Showdown: Who May Benefit?

Apple has petitioned the Supreme Court to review a contempt ruling over its App Store payment policies, highlighting ongoing regulatory pressure. This legal vulnerability creates a compelling opportunity for app developers and digital payment processors to increase their profit margins.

Jamie Dutta | Financial Market Analyst

Published on May 24

Top Picks from This Group

Here are a few of the assets in this group. Create an account to unlock the full list.

META PLATFORMS INC

Your Basket's Financial Footprint

That concentration gives it a largely stable, large-cap profile that tends to track broad-market movements rather than deliver idiosyncratic volatility.

Key Takeaways for Investors:

Large-cap dominance generally means lower volatility and returns that tend to track broader market movements.
Treat as a core, diversified holding rather than a speculative trade; complements risk-managed portfolios.
Expect steady, long-term capital appreciation rather than rapid, short-term gains.

Total Market Cap

META: $1.70T
V: $602.13B
MA: $463.71B
Other

12 Month Growth Potential

Use the growth calculator to see how much investing in these assets could return over one year, based on aggregated analyst sentiment provided by Refinitive Ltd.

If you invested across these assets:

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In 12 months it might be worth:

$1,000.00

+68.27%

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About This Group of Stocks

Our Expert Thinking

Apple is under serious legal pressure over its App Store payment rules, and that creates a real opportunity for investors. If courts force Apple to loosen its grip on in-app payments, app developers and digital payment processors could keep far more of the money they earn. This group of stocks is built around that idea — capturing the upside of a major shift in how mobile platforms are allowed to operate.

What You Need to Know

This is a theme-driven group, meaning its potential is tied to how the legal battle between Apple and regulators unfolds. The companies here range from dating apps and mobile gaming publishers to global payment networks — all of which stand to benefit if Apple's 27% commission structure is dismantled. As with any theme-based investment, outcomes can vary depending on legal and regulatory developments.

Why These Stocks

Every stock in this group was handpicked by professional analysts based on one clear rationale: each company is directly impacted by Apple's App Store commission policies. Whether they are subscription-based platforms, mobile gaming companies, or alternative payment processors, these businesses all have something meaningful to gain if the rules change. Nothing here was chosen at random.

Group Performance Snapshot

68.27%

Average 12 Month Profit

On average, analysts expect assets in this group to grow 68.27% over the next year.

14 of 15

Stocks Rated Buy by Analysts

14 of 15 assets in this group are rated Buy by professional analysts.

Source: Analyst sentiment is provided by Refinitiv Ltd, a global leader in financial market data with over 40k business clients. Refinitiv Ltd is an independent third party to Nemo. This is not advice.

Why You'll Want to Watch These Stocks

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A Legal Battle That Could Change Everything

Apple's Supreme Court petition is one of the most consequential platform cases in years. If regulators win, the ripple effects across the app economy could be enormous — and these stocks are right at the centre of it.

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More Revenue Staying Where It Belongs

A 27% commission cut to Apple on every transaction is a huge drag on profits. If that changes, companies in this group could see their margins improve almost overnight — without selling a single extra subscription.

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Experts Are Already Watching This Theme

Professional analysts have hand-selected these stocks specifically because they are positioned to benefit from structural changes in how mobile platforms handle payments. This isn't speculation — it's a carefully reasoned investment thesis.

Get the full story on this Basket. Read our detailed article on its risks and potential.

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