Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOG )( NASDAQ:GOOGL ) reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst estimates, with full-year revenue exceeding $400 billion for the first time ever. ...

Core Insights - Alphabet reported fourth-quarter earnings exceeding analyst estimates, with full-year revenue surpassing $400 billion for the first time, but raised concerns about profitability due to projected capital expenditures for 2026 ranging from $175 billion to $185 billion, nearly double the $91.4 billion spent in 2025 [2][3] Alphabet's Financial Performance - The stock experienced volatility, initially dropping over 6% in after-hours trading, recovering to a 2% gain during the earnings call, and ultimately closing down about 2%, with an 8% decline in morning trading [3] Broadcom's Positioning - Broadcom stands to benefit from Alphabet's capital spending plans, particularly as a supplier for Google's Tensor Processing Unit program, with forecasts suggesting shipments related to Google’s TPUs could reach 7 million units by 2028, potentially driving Broadcom's AI ASIC revenue to $78.4 billion in 2027 [4] Broadcom's Revenue Growth - Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue reached $6.5 billion in Q4, reflecting a 74% year-over-year increase, positioning the company to capture a portion of the projected 50% increase in data-center capital spending for 2026 [5] Broader AI Semiconductor Market - Broadcom is becoming a dominant player in the AI-driven semiconductor market, expecting its AI chip revenue to grow 100% year-over-year in Q1, reaching $8.2 billion, with overall revenue anticipated to rise 52% to $96 billion in fiscal 2026 [6]

Company Overview - Alphabet announced plans to spend $185 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, which is more than the total spending of the last three years combined [2][6] - The company's capital expenditure (capex) guidance for this year is nearly double that of last year, with a midpoint estimate of $180 billion, significantly higher than previous forecasts [8][9] Financial Performance - Alphabet's cloud revenue has accelerated, driven by strong demand for AI investments, with core search business growth also showing improvement [9][10] - The Gemini suite of AI models has contributed to record engagement in search, with 750 million monthly active users, up from 650 million in the previous quarter [11][13] Market Reaction - Following the announcement of increased spending, Alphabet's shares fell, reflecting investor concerns over the high expenditure despite the company's strong performance [1][6] - The overall tech market is experiencing a selloff, with Alphabet's stock under pressure amidst broader market trends [21][30] Industry Context - The cryptocurrency market has seen a significant decline, with $1.7 trillion wiped from crypto assets, and Bitcoin falling below $70,000, down 44% from its record high [2][3] - Silver prices have also plunged by 17% after a period of gains, indicating volatility in commodity markets [4][5] Future Outlook - Analysts suggest that despite the current selloff, Alphabet's fundamentals remain strong, and the increased investment in AI could present long-term opportunities [9][24] - The company is expected to continue its growth trajectory in both cloud and search sectors, with AI playing a crucial role in future developments [10][24]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks traded lower, with the Nasdaq Composite falling more than 200 points on Thursday. The Dow decreased by 0.56% to 49,225.33, the NASDAQ dipped 0.89% to 22,700.74, and the S&P 500 fell 0.74% to 6,831.80 [1] - European shares also declined, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 falling 0.8%, Spain's IBEX 35 Index down 1.4%, London's FTSE 100 down 0.3%, Germany's DAX slipping 0.6%, and France's CAC 40 down 0.3% [5] - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei falling 0.88%, China's Shanghai Composite declining 0.64%, and India's BSE Sensex down 0.60% [6] Sector Performance - Consumer staples shares gained by 0.3% on Thursday, while consumer discretionary stocks fell by 2.2% [1][2] Company Earnings - Alphabet reported fourth-quarter revenue of $113.83 billion, exceeding the Street consensus estimate of $111.31 billion. The earnings per share were $2.82, beating the consensus estimate of $2.63 [3] Commodity Prices - In commodity news, oil traded down 2.4% to $63.58, gold fell 1.5% to $4,877.70, silver decreased by 10% to $75.950, and copper fell 0.5% to $5.8225 [3][4] Economic Indicators - U.S. job openings declined by 386,000 to 6.542 million in December, compared to market estimates of 7.2 million. Initial jobless claims increased by 22,000 to 231,000, against market estimates of 212,000 [7]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks traded lower, with the Nasdaq Composite falling more than 200 points on Thursday. The Dow decreased by 0.56% to 49,225.33, the NASDAQ dipped 0.89% to 22,700.74, and the S&P 500 fell 0.74% to 6,831.80 [1] - European shares also declined, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 falling 0.8%, Spain's IBEX 35 Index down 1.4%, London's FTSE 100 down 0.3%, Germany's DAX slipping 0.6%, and France's CAC 40 down 0.3% [5] - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei falling 0.88%, China's Shanghai Composite declining 0.64%, and India's BSE Sensex down 0.60% [6] Sector Performance - Consumer staples shares gained by 0.3% on Thursday, while consumer discretionary stocks fell by 2.2% [1][2] Company Earnings - Alphabet reported fourth-quarter revenue of $113.83 billion, exceeding the Street consensus estimate of $111.31 billion. The earnings per share were $2.82, beating the consensus estimate of $2.63 [3] Commodity Prices - In commodity news, oil traded down 2.4% to $63.58, gold fell 1.5% to $4,877.70, silver decreased by 10% to $75.950, and copper fell 0.5% to $5.8225 [3][4] Economic Indicators - U.S. job openings declined by 386,000 to 6.542 million in December, compared to market estimates of 7.2 million. Initial jobless claims increased by 22,000 to 231,000, against market estimates of 212,000 [7]

Dan Ies of Web Bush Securities, Jeff Kilberg of KKM Financial. Great to have you both here. Dan, I mean, you just mentioned Apple right before the break.So, I want to get your response to this. >> I mean, look, for if you look European regulators and Apple, I mean, that's for them like drinking a cappuccino. I I'm not concerned at all in terms of any issues in Europe.Look, to some extent, Apple, they're on the offensive. And I think the reality is when you look at the Google numbers, you look at what they'r ...

Core Insights - Alphabet is targeting capital expenditure of $175 billion to $185 billion for the year, significantly higher than analysts' expectations of approximately $115.26 billion [1][1][1] - Shares of Alphabet fell over 6% in extended trading following the announcement [1][1][1] - Google Cloud's revenue grew by 48% to $17.7 billion in the fourth quarter, surpassing analysts' average estimate of a 35.2% increase [1][1][1] Capital Expenditure and AI Investment - The company is aggressively ramping up spending to enhance its position in the AI race, alongside major competitors like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure [1][1][1] - Collectively, major cloud companies, including Meta, are expected to invest over $500 billion in AI this year [1][1][1] - Meta has increased its capital investment for AI development by 73%, targeting between $115 billion and $135 billion [1][1][1] Cloud Computing and Capacity Constraints - Google Cloud is facing capacity constraints that have limited its ability to fully capitalize on the growing demand for AI from customers [1][1][1] - The cloud computing sector is experiencing a surge in demand for AI infrastructure, prompting significant investments from major players [1][1][1]

Industry Overview - The U.S. cannabis sector is transitioning towards a more disciplined approach, prioritizing profitability over rapid expansion, leading to a separation between stronger and weaker companies [1][2] - State-level legalization is expanding, and existing markets are becoming more efficient and competitive, with steady consumer demand despite economic uncertainty [2] - Investors are focusing on companies with scale, strong brands, and operational efficiency as the industry evolves [2][3] Company Highlights Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) - Green Thumb Industries is recognized as one of the most disciplined cannabis operators in the U.S., balancing retail operations with branded wholesale distribution for revenue stability [3][4] - The company operates numerous retail dispensaries under the Rise brand and has a strong presence in states like Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and Nevada [4][5] - Green Thumb's focus on operational efficiency has helped maintain margins during downturns, with selective store openings reflecting a conservative growth strategy [5][6] - Financially, Green Thumb has shown resilience with steady revenue growth and improving profitability trends, supported by cost controls and operational discipline [6][8] Curaleaf Holdings (CURLF) - Curaleaf is one of the largest cannabis companies in the U.S., with a national footprint and operations in both medical and adult-use markets, enhancing revenue diversification [8][9] - The company operates over 100 dispensaries, with significant presence in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Arizona, and Massachusetts, and controls multiple cultivation and processing facilities [9][11] - Curaleaf has several well-known brands, including Curaleaf, Select, and Grassroots, which strengthen its market penetration [11][12] - Financially, Curaleaf is among the highest-revenue operators, with recent restructuring efforts improving operational efficiency and focusing on profitability [12][13] Verano Holdings (VRNOF) - Verano has emerged as a major vertically integrated cannabis operator, with a strong retail focus and operations across multiple regulated markets [14][15] - The company operates more than 160 dispensaries, primarily in Florida, and has a diverse brand portfolio including MÜV, Zen Leaf, Savvy, and Encore [15][16] - Verano is focusing on operational improvements, with revenue growth supported by retail expansion and brand development, while prioritizing efficiency and margin stabilization [17][18] - The company's vertical integration offers advantages in cost control and product consistency, positioning it well for future growth in the evolving Florida market [18] Conclusion - As February 2026 approaches, the cannabis sector remains volatile but selective, with companies like Green Thumb, Curaleaf, and Verano standing out due to their scale, discipline, and strong brands [19]

Core Insights - Alphabet's Q4 and full-year 2025 revenue and profit exceeded expectations, driven by significant growth in its cloud business and AI initiatives [1][3][4] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Alphabet reported revenue of $113.83 billion, a year-over-year increase of 18%, and a net profit of $34.46 billion, up 29.8% [3] - For the full year 2025, total revenue reached $402.84 billion, marking a 15% increase, with net profit at $132.17 billion, the first time annual revenue surpassed $400 billion [3] Cloud Business Growth - Google Cloud revenue surged 48% year-over-year to $17.664 billion in Q4, achieving the fastest growth rate in over four years, exceeding analyst expectations by over 9% [3][4] - By the end of 2025, Google Cloud's annualized revenue surpassed $70 billion, with unfulfilled orders amounting to $240 billion, more than doubling year-over-year [3] Capital Expenditure Plans - Alphabet plans to increase capital expenditures for 2026 to between $175 billion and $185 billion, nearly double the $91.4 billion spent in 2025 [1][5] - In Q4 2025, capital expenditures were recorded at $27.9 billion, primarily directed towards technology infrastructure, with 60% allocated to servers and 40% to data centers and networking equipment [5] AI and Competitive Landscape - The launch of the Gemini 3 model has positioned Google favorably against competitors like OpenAI, prompting OpenAI to accelerate its own model development [4][5] - Google is focusing on AI-driven solutions, with the Gemini App achieving over 750 million monthly active users, indicating increased user engagement since the launch of Gemini 3 [7] Market Position and Challenges - Google Cloud holds the third-largest market share in the global cloud services market, following Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure [4] - Despite strong growth, Google faces intense competition in the cloud sector, which may pressure profit margins [8] Investment and Efficiency Initiatives - To balance investment and profitability, Google is implementing efficiency improvement plans, with nearly 50% of its code now generated by AI, enhancing engineering productivity [7] - The company is also deploying AI agents to optimize internal processes and control costs [7]

Group 1 - Qualcomm's stock fell by 9.6% due to Q2 earnings guidance that did not meet expectations [1] - Wolfspeed's stock dropped by 22.7% as both Q2 earnings per share and sales figures fell short of forecasts [1] - Google's stock decreased by 6.2% despite exceeding earnings expectations, attributed to capital expenditure guidance that was significantly higher than anticipated [1] Group 2 - NIO's stock rose by 7.1% after reporting its first-ever adjusted operating profit in a single quarter [1] - Dingdong Maicai's stock declined by 13.5% following Meituan's proposal to acquire the company for $717 million [1]