Is Google Stock a Buy Ahead of Its First AI Glasses Launch?

Group 1: Meta Platforms and AI Glasses - Meta Platforms' partnership with EssilorLuxottica has led to significant success in AI glasses, transforming a capital-intensive experiment into a commercially viable business [1] - The emergence of generative AI has prompted major investments in the eyewear sector, exemplified by Alphabet's $150 million commitment to Warby Parker [1] Group 2: Google's AI Glasses Launch - Google plans to launch its first AI glasses next year, collaborating with Samsung and Gentle Monster, in addition to Warby Parker [2] - The glasses will utilize Google's Android XR operating system and will allow audio-based interaction with the Gemini AI assistant, along with an in-lens display for translations and directions [3] Group 3: Alphabet's Financial Performance - Alphabet has seen a remarkable stock performance, with GOOGL stock generating over 70% returns in the last 12 months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which returned 13.35% [4] - The ongoing rally in AI investments has led to speculation about an AI bubble, with concerns about whether returns will match the substantial infrastructure investments [5] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - GOOGL is considered overvalued based on various metrics, with a forward P/E ratio of 30x, which is 26.5% above its five-year historic average of 23.8x [6] - The stock is trading at a price-to-sales ratio that is 62% above its five-year average, and on a price-to-cash flow basis, it is at a multiple of 24.29x, which is 44% above its five-year average [6]