Which Is the Best "Magnificent Seven" Stock to Buy Right Now?

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet is positioned as the best investment choice among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, with significant potential upside in various sectors including search, AI infrastructure, autonomous driving, and quantum computing [1]. Group 1: Search and Advertising - Concerns about AI chatbots replacing traditional search are prevalent, but AI queries are more expensive to run compared to traditional searches, which supports Alphabet's ad-supported search model [3]. - Alphabet's dominance in search is reinforced by its ownership of distribution channels, including the Android operating system and Chrome browser, as well as revenue-sharing agreements with Apple and other browsers [3]. - The company has built one of the largest digital advertising platforms, with user-friendly self-serve ad tools that cater to businesses of all sizes [4]. Group 2: Monetization Opportunities - Currently, only about 20% of Alphabet's searches include ads, indicating substantial room for growth in monetization [5]. - New AI-powered features like "Shop by AI" and virtual try-ons are being introduced, enhancing user experience and creating additional monetization avenues [5]. - The integration of AI and traditional search is likely to be complementary, with many users expected to continue using free, ad-based search options [6]. Group 3: Cloud Computing - Google Cloud is experiencing significant growth, with a 28% increase in revenue and a 142% surge in operating income last quarter [7]. - The Vertex AI platform is attracting customers for building and managing AI models, while Alphabet's Gemini foundational model provides a competitive edge [8]. - Custom-built Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) are designed to optimize AI workloads, offering both power and energy efficiency compared to traditional GPUs [9]. Group 4: Future Technologies - Alphabet is entering the AI chip market with the launch of Ironwood, a TPU designed for inference, which is expected to grow significantly [11]. - Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, is expanding rapidly and has shown strong usage metrics, indicating a promising future despite current unprofitability [12]. - The company is also making strides in quantum computing with its Willow chip, which has demonstrated a significant reduction in error rates [13]. Group 5: Valuation - Alphabet is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just over 18 times 2025 analyst estimates, suggesting it is undervalued compared to its market position [14]. - The company holds leading positions across multiple sectors, making it an attractive option for long-term investors seeking a technology leader at a reasonable price [15].