Alphabet Inc. $GOOGL is Northstar Asset Management Inc.'s 2nd Largest Position

Key Points

• Northstar Asset Management reduced its Alphabet position by 8.1% in the second quarter, selling 6,086 shares. It still owned 68,922 shares worth approximately $24.6 million, making Alphabet 7.2% of its portfolio and its second-largest holding.
• Analysts remain broadly bullish, with Alphabet receiving a consensus “Buy” rating and an average price target of $420.19. Recent quarterly results also exceeded expectations, with earnings of $9.11 per share and revenue of $119.8 billion.
• Alphabet’s AI and cloud expansion is supporting investor optimism, but the company faces concerns over heavy AI infrastructure spending, electricity demand and a continuing securities-law investigation. Insiders sold roughly $12.4 million of shares over the past 90 days.

Northstar Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL - Free Report) by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 68,922 shares of the information services provider's stock after selling 6,086 shares during the quarter. Alphabet comprises approximately 7.2% of Northstar Asset Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Northstar Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Alphabet were worth $24,631,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new position in Alphabet during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. EMC Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Alphabet in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Alphabet in the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Alphabet during the fourth quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, iSAM Funds UK Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Alphabet during the third quarter worth about $53,000. 40.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GOOGL has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group dropped their price target on Alphabet from $400.00 to $379.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Truist Financial set a $420.00 price objective on Alphabet and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. New Street Research lifted their target price on Alphabet from $450.00 to $455.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Phillip Securities raised Alphabet from a "moderate buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their price target on Alphabet from $355.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 15th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-five have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Alphabet has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $420.19.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Alphabet news, Director John Hennessy sold 1,050 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 owned 1,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $545,941.03. This represents a 41.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder 2019 Gp L.L.C. Gv sold 196,931 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.46, for a total value of $3,832,277.26. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 451,925 shares of company stock worth $12,371,544. Insiders own 11.61% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Alphabet

Here are the key news stories impacting Alphabet this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Google agreed to secure nuclear power for 22 years, reportedly locking in roughly half of a plant’s output through 2049. The deal could provide more predictable electricity costs and reliable power for energy-intensive AI data centers, strengthening Alphabet’s infrastructure position. Alphabet Jumps 2.5% After Locking In 22 Years of Nuclear Power
• Positive Sentiment: Google completed its acquisition of AI startup Mechanize in a deal reportedly valued at more than $1.5 billion. Mechanize’s former CEO and other employees are joining Google, potentially adding talent focused on AI agents and automation. Google just completed its $1.5 billion-plus deal for AI startup Mechanize
• Positive Sentiment: Investor commentary highlighted Alphabet’s strong AI and cloud outlook. Google Cloud is reportedly growing 82% year over year, while Alphabet’s Gemini technology is expanding into professional video-editing software, supporting the case that AI can broaden enterprise revenue beyond search advertising. Microsoft Vs. Alphabet: The Enterprise Fight No One Saw Coming
• Positive Sentiment: Recent coverage continues to present Alphabet as attractively valued relative to its growth prospects. The company’s latest reported quarter exceeded expectations, with earnings of $9.11 per share versus a $2.89 consensus estimate and revenue of $119.8 billion versus $117.07 billion expected.
• Neutral Sentiment: Alphabet’s inclusion among major AI and cloud beneficiaries, along with Berkshire Hathaway’s reported position in the company, may support investor interest but does not represent a new operating catalyst. Berkshire Hathaway Has a New Top Holding, and It Dominates Its Market
• Negative Sentiment: A law firm said it is continuing an investigation into possible federal securities-law violations involving Alphabet. The announcement does not establish wrongdoing, but it introduces a potential legal and reputational overhang. Securities Fraud Investigation Into Alphabet Continues
• Negative Sentiment: Alphabet faces scrutiny over the scale of AI infrastructure spending, potential financing pressure across the AI industry, and electricity-demand concerns related to new data centers. Finland opposition parties have warned that Google’s expansion could strain local power supplies and raise energy costs. Finland Risks Strained Power Supply After Google AI Deal

Alphabet Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:GOOGL opened at $338.50 on Friday. Alphabet Inc. has a 52 week low of $235.84 and a 52 week high of $408.61. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $346.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $343.66. The company has a market cap of $4.14 trillion, a P/E ratio of 17.00, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 2.64, a current ratio of 2.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The information services provider reported $9.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $6.22. The company had revenue of $119.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $117.07 billion. Alphabet had a return on equity of 51.32% and a net margin of 54.77%. Research analysts predict that Alphabet Inc. will post 20.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Alphabet Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 14th. Investors of record on Monday, September 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 4th. Alphabet's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.42%.

Alphabet Company Profile

Alphabet Inc is a technology and holding company founded in 2015 through a restructuring of Google. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and operates globally, serving consumers, businesses, advertisers and developers across numerous countries and regions.

Alphabet's largest business is Google Services, which includes Google Search, online advertising, YouTube, Android, Chrome, Google Maps, Google Play and hardware products such as Pixel devices. These products support activities including internet search, digital content distribution, mobile computing, online communications and advertising.

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