Alphabet (GOOGL) News Today

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) stock movements today are driven by a mix of bullish analyst actions ahead of Q2 earnings and some insider selling. Investors are digesting upgraded earnings forecasts and price targets, tempered by executive share sales and external critiques of Google’s ad model.

• Positive Sentiment: Wedbush raised its Q2 EPS forecast for GOOGL to $2.12 (from $2.05) and kept an “Outperform” rating with a $190 price target, underscoring stronger-than-expected profit prospects. Wedbush Issues Optimistic Outlook for Alphabet Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America bumped its GOOGL price objective to $210 (from $200) and reiterated a “Buy” rating, implying double-digit upside. Bank of America Issues Positive Forecast for Alphabet Stock Price
• Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp raised its price target on GOOGL to $215 (from $195) and maintained an “Overweight” rating, reflecting strong earnings visibility. Alphabet Given New $215.00 Price Target at KeyCorp
• Positive Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald set a new $196 price target on GOOGL, joining the wave of pre-earnings upgrades. Alphabet Given New $196.00 Price Target at Cantor Fitzgerald
• Positive Sentiment: BMO Capital reiterated an “Outperform” rating on GOOGL and lifted its target to $208, adding to the bullish earnings narrative. BMO Capital Reiterates Outperform on Alphabet, Raises Price Target to $208
• Neutral Sentiment: MarketBeat’s week in review noted record highs on the NASDAQ and S&P 500 and highlighted GOOGL as one of the first major tech names up to report Q2, contributing to broad market optimism. MarketBeat Week in Review – 07/14 - 07/18
• Neutral Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha piece argued that an unspecified “threat” to Alphabet could paradoxically accelerate strategic initiatives, though concrete catalysts remain unclear. Alphabet: This ‘Threat’ Could Actually Be A Blessing
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple MarketBeat screeners included GOOGL among top space, healthcare, and cybersecurity stocks to watch, reflecting its diversified exposure but not driving a direct price catalyst. Space Stocks To Follow Now – July 18th
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published previews and “Buy, Sell or Hold” guidance on GOOGL ahead of earnings, indicating mixed views on valuation and competition in AI and Cloud. Buy, Sell or Hold Alphabet Stock? Key Tips Ahead of Q2 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: CEO Sundar Pichai sold 32,500 shares at an average of $184.38, reducing his holding by 1.27%, which can spook some investors. Alphabet CEO Sells $5,992,350.00 in Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Director John Hennessy offloaded 400 shares at $181.98, trimming his position by 6.24%, further adding to insider selling pressure. Alphabet Director Sells Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Perplexity AI’s CEO publicly criticized Google’s ad-based revenue model as misaligned with the future of AI agents, raising strategic doubts. Perplexity CEO Says Google’s Ad Model Is Incompatible With AI Agent Future