Merrithew & Thorsten Inc Makes New $1.71 Million Investment in Alphabet Inc. $GOOGL

Key Points

• Merrithew & Thorsten Inc initiated a new position in Alphabet during the fourth quarter, buying 5,474 shares worth about $1.71 million. The stake represents about 1.8% of its portfolio and is its 9th largest holding.
• Alphabet continues to attract major institutional interest, with large holders like Berkshire Hathaway, Vanguard, and Capital World Investors either adding to or establishing sizable positions. Institutional investors and hedge funds now own 40.03% of the company.
• The company reported strong quarterly results, posting $5.11 EPS versus expectations of $2.64 and revenue of $109.90 billion, while also raising its quarterly dividend to $0.22 per share. Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $412.65.

Merrithew & Thorsten Inc purchased a new position in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 5,474 shares of the information services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,713,000. Alphabet makes up about 1.8% of Merrithew & Thorsten Inc's portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest holding.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of GOOGL. Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired a new position in shares of Alphabet in the third quarter worth $4,338,397,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Alphabet by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 528,969,322 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $165,567,398,000 after acquiring an additional 12,531,695 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of Alphabet by 28.0% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 53,107,572 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $12,910,542,000 after acquiring an additional 11,605,785 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Alphabet by 15.7% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 50,732,476 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $12,333,076,000 after acquiring an additional 6,874,381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Markets Cayman LP grew its stake in shares of Alphabet by 23,402.1% in the third quarter. Mizuho Markets Cayman LP now owns 6,118,547 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $1,487,419,000 after acquiring an additional 6,092,513 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.03% of the company's stock.

More Alphabet News

Here are the key news stories impacting Alphabet this week:

• Positive Sentiment: At Google I/O 2026, Alphabet unveiled a broader AI lineup, including new Gemini models, AI search features, AI glasses, and ad products designed to monetize conversational search more effectively. Alphabet Just Unveiled Its Most Ambitious AI Lineup Yet
• Positive Sentiment: Google also announced a $15 billion Missouri AI data hub investment, highlighting long-term infrastructure spending, energy efficiency, and community investment that support its AI expansion plans. How Google’s $15 Billion Missouri AI Data Hub Strategy Could Reshape Alphabet’s Investor Narrative
• Positive Sentiment: Reports also noted Google’s push to make ads work inside AI search, suggesting new ways to monetize search traffic as the product shifts toward conversational results. Google Wants Ads to Talk Back in AI Search
• Neutral Sentiment: Alphabet remains widely watched by investors and screening services, keeping the stock in focus but not adding a clear new fundamental catalyst. Investors Heavily Search Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Here is What You Need to Know
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive concerns are rising after a TechCrunch report said DuckDuckGo installs jumped as some users rejected Google’s AI search changes, implying possible user pushback. DuckDuckGo installs are up 30% as users reject being ‘force-fed' Google's AI Search
• Negative Sentiment: Alphabet also faces continued antitrust overhang, with reports that the EU is preparing a large fine in its investigation into Google’s practices. EU plans to fine Google high triple-digit million euro sum as part of antitrust investigation: report
• Negative Sentiment: Google is also appealing a court decision tied to its search monopoly, keeping regulatory risk front and center for the stock. Google Appeals Court Decision on Search Monopoly

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider John Kent Walker sold 8,993 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $275.89, for a total value of $2,481,078.77. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 51,808 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $14,293,309.12. This represents a 14.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Frances Arnold sold 102 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.00, for a total transaction of $37,842.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 18,621 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,908,391. The trade was a 0.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 226,481 shares of company stock valued at $27,422,061. 11.61% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Alphabet Price Performance

Shares of GOOGL opened at $388.88 on Wednesday. Alphabet Inc. has a 1-year low of $162.00 and a 1-year high of $408.61. The stock has a market cap of $4.71 trillion, a PE ratio of 29.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.92 and a quick ratio of 1.92. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $341.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $323.00.

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The information services provider reported $5.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.64 by $2.47. Alphabet had a net margin of 37.92% and a return on equity of 38.99%. The business had revenue of $109.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $106.98 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Alphabet Inc. will post 14.29 EPS for the current year.

Alphabet Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 8th will be issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 8th. This is a positive change from Alphabet's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. Alphabet's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GOOGL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Alphabet in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $425.00 target price on shares of Alphabet and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Evercore boosted their target price on shares of Alphabet from $400.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Alphabet from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Alphabet in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-seven have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $412.65.

About Alphabet

Alphabet Inc is the holding company created in 2015 to organize Google and a portfolio of businesses developing technologies beyond Google's core internet services. Its principal operations are led by Google, which builds and operates consumer-facing products such as Google Search, YouTube, Android, Chrome, Gmail, Google Maps and Google Workspace, as well as advertising platforms (Google Ads and AdSense) that historically generate the majority of its revenue. Google also develops consumer hardware (Pixel phones, Nest smart-home devices, Chromecast) and developer and distribution platforms such as Google Play.

Beyond Google's consumer and advertising businesses, Alphabet invests in enterprise and infrastructure offerings through Google Cloud, which provides cloud computing, data analytics and productivity services to businesses and institutions.

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