Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) Given Average Rating of “Buy” by Brokerages

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been given an average rating of “Buy” by the thirty-six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-seven have given a buy rating and five have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $378.5312.

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $425.00 price objective on shares of Alphabet in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Freedom Capital cut shares of Alphabet from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $420.00 price target on shares of Alphabet in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Alphabet in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Alphabet from $450.00 to $475.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 9th.

Insider Activity at Alphabet

In related news, Director John L. Hennessy sold 1,050 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $368.63, for a total value of $387,061.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $545,941.03. This trade represents a 41.49% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 87,475 shares of Alphabet stock in a transaction on Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.75, for a total value of $2,077,531.25. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 159,415 shares of company stock worth $7,672,279. 12.99% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Alphabet

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alphabet during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Nvest Wealth Strategies Inc. acquired a new stake in Alphabet in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new position in Alphabet during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new position in Alphabet during the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, Towne Trust Company N.A raised its position in Alphabet by 34.0% during the fourth quarter. Towne Trust Company N.A now owns 134 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.26% of the company’s stock.

Alphabet Stock Performance

Shares of GOOG stock opened at $357.33 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.92, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $368.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $335.92. The company has a market cap of $4.33 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.23. Alphabet has a 12-month low of $181.50 and a 12-month high of $404.47.

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The information services provider reported $5.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.68 by $2.43. Alphabet had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 37.92%.The firm had revenue of $109.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $106.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.81 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Alphabet will post 14.32 EPS for the current year.

Alphabet Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 8th were issued a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. This is a boost from Alphabet’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 8th. Alphabet’s dividend payout ratio is 6.71%.

Alphabet News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Alphabet this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Alphabet (GOOG) to a Strong Buy, citing improving earnings expectations and bullish near-term sentiment. Alphabet (GOOG) Upgraded to Strong Buy: Here’s What You Should Know
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive on Alphabet’s AI and cloud outlook, with earnings preview articles pointing to Google Cloud and ad strength as potential drivers of another beat when results are reported on July 22. Google Stock Earnings Preview: Can Google Cloud Power Alphabet’s Next Earnings Beat?
• Positive Sentiment: Several reports framed Alphabet as a preferred AI and digital advertising name, noting resilient search traffic, strong ad monetization, and growing investor interest in its TPU and cloud strategy. Bet on 4 Cloud Computing Stocks to Hedge Against Volatile Markets
• Neutral Sentiment: Media coverage also pointed out that Alphabet is a trending stock and has recently outperformed the broader market, reflecting strong investor attention rather than a specific new catalyst. Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider
• Neutral Sentiment: Alphabet also drew favorable commentary from Jim Cramer and other market voices, who described Google’s long-term contract and AI position as compelling, but these were mostly opinion-based rather than new business updates. Jim Cramer Reveals Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)’s “Best Contract in the World”
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory pressure remains a headwind, with Google facing a new AI training lawsuit from publishers and separate scrutiny in Switzerland and Germany over Android search defaults and AI Overviews. Google faces another AI training lawsuit from major publishers
• Negative Sentiment: Concerns about data-center expansion and related costs also weighed on sentiment after New York imposed a moratorium on certain data centers, potentially affecting hyperscaler growth plans. AMZN, GOOGL, META: Hyperscalers Hit as New York State Imposes Moratorium on Data Centers

About Alphabet

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) is a multinational technology holding company headquartered in Mountain View, California. Formed in 2015 through a corporate restructuring of Google, Alphabet serves as the parent to Google LLC and a portfolio of businesses collectively known as “Other Bets.” Google was originally founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin; Alphabet is led by CEO Sundar Pichai, who oversees Google and the broader company while the founders remain prominent shareholders and influential figures in the company’s history.

Alphabet’s core business centers on internet search and advertising, with Google Search and the company’s ad platforms (including Google Ads and AdSense) generating the majority of revenue by connecting advertisers with consumers worldwide.