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Google parent Alphabet plans to report first-quarter results after the market closes Thursday.
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A majority of analysts tracked by Visible Alpha have a “buy” or equivalent rating for the stock.
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Citi analysts said they expect Google Search would be “among the last platforms to experience macro impacts and among the first to recover.”
Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL) is slated to report first-quarter results after the market closes Thursday, with analysts largely bullish on the tech giant’s ability to weather economic uncertainty.
Citi analysts said recently they expect Google Search would be “among the last platforms to experience macro impacts and among the first to recover.” Citi also highlighted its potential for growth from the adoption of artificial intelligence tools like Google’s AI Mode in Search, as well as the latest iteration of the company’s Gemini large language model.
Morgan Stanley also cited “AI-driven platform-level innovation” on Search and YouTube as a reason for “confidence in the durability of long term growth.” Citi and Morgan Stanley gave Alphabet price targets of $195 and $185, respectively.
Of the 19 analysts covering Alphabet tracked by Visible Alpha, 14 have “buy” or equivalent ratings for the stock, with the rest issuing “hold” ratings. Their consensus price target near $195 would suggest roughly 29% upside from Thursday’s closing price at about $151.
During the company’s earnings call, Alphabet could face questions from analysts about a U.S. District Court ruling that Google has illegally maintained monopolies in the online advertising industry. Citi analysts said they “wouldn’t be surprised to see Google ultimately spin off its ad network,” as a result of the ruling, but that Google’s core businesses would likely not be as impacted.
Alphabet is expected to report fiscal first-quarter revenue of $89.22 billion, up 11% year-over-year, and net income of $24.71 billion, or $2.01 per share, up from $23.66 billion, or $1.89 per share, a year ago.
Shares of Alphabet have lost a fifth of their value so far in 2025 through Thursday’s close. The U.S. stock market was closed Friday in observation of Good Friday.
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