Why Alphabet shares were up on Wednesday

The Google parent's third-quarter report was downright inspiring.

| More on:
Man working with a mask on.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

What happened

Shares of Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) soared on Wednesday, following the Google parent company's impressive third-quarter earnings report. The vote-carrying A shares (GOOGL) rose as much as 6.8% before retreating to a 6.1% gain as of 12:30 p.m. EDT. Alphabet's voteless C shares (GOOG) followed close behind with gains of 6.7% and 6.1%, respectively.

So what

Top-line sales rose 41% year over year to $65.1 billion. Earnings jumped 71% higher over the same period, landing at $27.99 per diluted share. Your average analyst would have settled for earnings near $23.47 per share on revenue of roughly $63.5 billion. Search ads, YouTube ads, and cloud services all delivered year-over-year revenue growth above 40%. 

Now what

In the earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai pondered the long-term growth potential of changes to the global business environment. The remote work policies that started as an emergency solution to last year's coronavirus challenges is evolving into a "hybrid work" model. Here, Google-branded services should reap sustained benefits in several fields, starting with cloud security and cloud-based productivity services.

Alphabet's two stock classes are reaching fresh all-time highs today, posting 52-week gains in the neighborhood of 75%. Meanwhile, Alphabet spent $12.6 billion on stock buybacks during the quarter, which makes sense only if the company sees great value in its own shares. This fantastic report offered plenty of support for Alphabet's soaring stock prices. 

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Anders Bylund owns shares of Alphabet (A shares). Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares) and Alphabet (C shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on International Stock News

A couple are happy sitting on their yacht.
International Stock News

This magnificent stock has made many millionaires, and could make more

There are millions of reasons why investors look to this Wall St legend for inspiration.

Read more »

A little girl with red hair runs excitedly with a rocket strapped to her back, trying to launch.
International Stock News

Which ASX small-cap stock is leaping 13% by doubling down on access to cash

This expands its reach in India.

Read more »

Unsure man analysing data on laptop.
International Stock News

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett sold Apple shares for a fourth straight quarter. Should investors be worried?

Although Buffett has been selling Apple stock, it has continued to rise in value this year.

Read more »

Young couple having pizza on lunch break at workplace.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Is Warren Buffett buying Domino's shares while they're down?

Could this be a vote of approval?

Read more »

Close up portrait of happy businesswoman standing in front or leading her multi-ethnic corporate team.
International Stock News

These are the 6 top-performing stocks in the Nasdaq-100 with 2024 almost over

Which stocks are leading the Nasdaq-100 higher in 2024? This diverse bunch of leaders is taking the market by storm.

Read more »

Scared looking people on a rollercoaster ride representing the volatile Mineral Resources share price in 2022
International Stock News

Are interest rates to blame for the shaky Nasdaq Index last night?

US markets were volatile overnight.

Read more »

A young entrepreneur boy catching money at his desk, indicating growth in the ASX share price or dividends
International Stock News

Why this high-flying investor is selling Tesla shares and buying this US tech stock instead

Ark Invest funds have been selling the electric vehicle maker's stock over the last few weeks and reinvesting the proceeds…

Read more »

two computer geeks sit across from each other with their laptop computers touching as they look confused and confounded by what they are seeing on their screens.
International Stock News

Is Nvidia stock heading to $175?

The bulls are lining up ahead of Nvidia's earnings report next week.

Read more »