Pivotal Research maintains $225 target on Alphabet stock

Published 25/04/2025, 06:50
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On Friday, Pivotal Research Group reiterated its Buy rating on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) with a price target of $225. The firm’s analyst, Jeffrey Wlodarczak, highlighted Alphabet’s robust competitive position with its core search business model, which commands approximately 90% market share outside of China. According to InvestingPro data, Alphabet’s market dominance has translated into impressive financial metrics, with the company generating $350 billion in revenue over the last twelve months and maintaining a healthy P/E ratio of 19.7. Wlodarczak pointed out Alphabet’s potential to capitalize on its near ubiquitous device presence to dominate consumer AI assistant usage, backed by what he considers the strongest AI platform currently available and the company’s substantial financial resources.

Wlodarczak’s analysis underscores Alphabet’s multi-faceted business, including its strong third-place standing in the cloud computing sector, which is expected to continue growing. Additionally, Alphabet owns YouTube, the world’s largest non-premium video and audio streaming platform, and Chrome, the leading browser with a 65% market share globally, excluding China. InvestingPro analysis shows the company’s diversification strategy is paying off, with revenue growing at 13.87% and earning a "GREAT" Financial Health score, supported by strong cash flows and solid profitability metrics. The company also has investments in autonomous driving through Waymo and in quantum computing.

The analyst further elaborated on Alphabet’s ability to enhance its position by leveraging AI investments to potentially reduce costs significantly. This would mainly be achieved through a reduction in the workforce, which currently stands at over 180,000 employees. However, this could be partially offset by potentially higher Traffic Acquisition Costs (TAC) to extend their search and handset dominance to AI. InvestingPro indicates the company is well-positioned for such investments, maintaining strong liquidity with a current ratio of 1.84 and holding more cash than debt on its balance sheet. Wlodarczak noted that such moves could be subject to regulatory or court restrictions but, if allowed, should contribute to strong financial growth for Alphabet.

Alphabet’s diverse assets and strategic investments position it to potentially lower its cost structure while continuing to grow financially, according to Pivotal Research Group. The firm’s sustained Buy rating and $225 price target reflect confidence in Alphabet’s future performance and its ability to maintain and extend its market leadership in multiple domains. Based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock appears slightly undervalued at its current price of $159.28. Discover more detailed insights and 12 additional ProTips about Alphabet’s financial health and growth potential with a subscription to InvestingPro, including exclusive access to comprehensive Pro Research Reports covering 1,400+ top US stocks.

In other recent news, Alphabet Inc. has reported its first-quarter earnings with notable results in advertising revenue and consistent performance in YouTube and Cloud services. Analysts from Stifel, Oppenheimer, Truist, Piper Sandler, and RBC Capital Markets have responded positively, with price targets ranging from $195 to $200, indicating confidence in the company’s future prospects. Stifel and Oppenheimer both raised their price targets to $200, citing optimism in Alphabet’s artificial intelligence developments and robust earnings. Piper Sandler increased its target to $195 following a 12% revenue growth, which exceeded expectations.

Truist maintained its $200 target, highlighting Alphabet’s resilience against competition and economic challenges. RBC Capital Markets also reiterated a $200 price target, emphasizing better-than-expected earnings and strategic financial maneuvers. Alphabet’s AI initiatives, particularly in the Search segment, are noted for their potential to expand the company’s market reach. Analysts have maintained positive ratings, such as Buy and Outperform, reflecting their trust in Alphabet’s strategic direction and financial health.

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