Analysis

Wedbush Analysts Upbeat on Alphabet, Upgrade Target Amid AI Concerns

Published March 22, 2024

Wedbush Securities analysts Dan Ives and Scott Devitt have taken a favorable stance on Alphabet Inc. GOOG GOOGL, downplaying the perceived threats AI innovations pose to Google's dominant search engine. The analysts assert that the concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on Google Search are exaggerated and maintain an optimistic outlook for the tech conglomerate's future.

Renewed Confidence in Alphabet

As a testament to their confidence, Wedbush has incorporated Alphabet into its Best Ideas List (BIL), elevating the target price for Alphabet stock from $160 to $175. This increase signifies a belief in the company's sustained leadership and growth potential in the search engine market, despite the escalating competition in AI. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has consistently been a formidable player in the tech space and is recognized as one of the world’s leading technology companies due to its expansive revenue streams and significant market value.

Market Implications

The tech giants known as the Big Five, which include Microsoft Corporation MSFT, Alphabet Inc. GOOG, Apple Inc. AAPL, Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, and previously Facebook, now Meta Platforms, have all been making strides in various sectors of technology. Most notable amongst these ventures is the advancement into artificial intelligence, a field that is rapidly evolving and shaping the future of technology. Microsoft, for instance, has a history of success in software, consumer electronics, and hardware, with signature products like Windows, Office, and the Surface line. Alphabet's prowess is equally formidable, with Google's search engine being a cornerstone of its success. Apple, the technology titan, thrives on consumer electronics and software offerings, achieving staggering revenue figures. Meanwhile, Amazon continues to pioneer in e-commerce, cloud computing, and AI, solidifying its status as an economic powerhouse.

Alphabet, Google, AI