Core Viewpoint - Alphabet Inc. has successfully raised nearly $32 billion in debt within 24 hours to support its artificial intelligence initiatives, achieving record corporate bond sales in both the sterling and Swiss franc markets [1][2]. Group 1: Debt Issuance Details - The debt issuance included the largest-ever corporate bond sales in the sterling and Swiss franc markets, following a $20 billion debt sale on Monday [2]. - The sterling offering featured a rare 100-year note, marking the first such sale by a technology firm since the dot-com era [2][10]. - The 100-year bond attracted nearly 10 times the orders for the £1 billion ($1.4 billion) available, pricing at just 1.2 percentage points above 10-year UK government bonds [3]. Group 2: Market Demand and Investor Interest - High demand was noted across the deals, with a wide range of maturities appealing to various investors, including asset managers, hedge funds, pension funds, and insurers [4]. - The overall borrowing needs of tech firms, particularly in AI, have led to significant interest from investors, with Alphabet's capital expenditures projected to reach $185 billion this year, double last year's spending [5]. Group 3: Industry Context and Comparisons - Other tech companies, such as Oracle, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft, have also announced substantial spending plans, with Morgan Stanley predicting borrowing by cloud-computing firms to reach $400 billion this year [6]. - Alphabet's recent moves to diversify its debt-raising efforts included tapping the euro bond market, where it raised €6.5 billion ($7.7 billion) [13]. Group 4: Concerns and Market Dynamics - The significant borrowing by major tech firms has raised concerns regarding potential pressure on bond valuations, as these securities are considered expensive by historical standards [8]. - Investor apprehensions about the sustainability of the AI boom and its impact on related sectors, such as Software-as-a-Service, have been noted [8].
Google parent Alphabet sells $32 billion in bonds in 24 hours showing credit market appetite for tech, AI players