Market Overview - U.S. equities are showing a mixed but generally upward trend, with the technology sector driving major indexes higher despite cautious broader market sentiment ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting [1][3] - The S&P 500 is up approximately 0.2%, following a +0.47% close on Monday, while the Nasdaq Composite is leading with a 0.3% gain [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average is marginally lower, down about 0.1%, as some industrial and financial stocks face challenges [2] Upcoming Economic Events - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is taking place, with markets anticipating a near-certainty of a 25 basis point interest rate cut, and some speculating on a potential 50 basis point cut [4] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025 is set to be released on October 15, 2025, with August's retail sales data showing a healthy increase of 0.6% month-over-month [5] Major Company Highlights - **Alphabet (GOOGL)**: Achieved a market capitalization of $3 trillion for the first time, with Class A shares up 4.6% and Class C shares climbing 4.5%, driven by optimism around AI and a favorable antitrust ruling [6] - **Nvidia (NVDA)**: Saw a 3.11% increase in share price, supported by strong demand for GPUs and Oracle's plans to allocate $35 billion for AI computing infrastructure [7] - **Apple (AAPL)**: Shares rose 3.91%, driven by strong preorder reports for the iPhone 17 series, with a projected 5%-10% increase in preorders compared to last year [8][9] - **Microsoft (MSFT)**: Shares increased by 1.1%, with a quarterly dividend of 91 cents per share approved, marking a 10% increase from the previous payout [10] - **Tesla (TSLA)**: Shares jumped over 8% after CEO Elon Musk purchased nearly $1 billion worth of stock, despite facing challenges in global sales and market share [11] - **Boeing (BA)**: Reported a 34.9% year-over-year increase in revenue, although it missed earnings expectations [12] - **Pfizer (PFE)**: Announced positive clinical trial data for its mRNA-based COVID shots, reporting $0.78 earnings per share and a 10.3% revenue increase compared to the previous year [13] Market Sentiment - The overall market momentum indicates a "risk-on" environment, particularly within the tech sector, as investors await further developments from the FOMC meeting and economic data [3][14]

Google parent Alphabet saw its market capitalization reach $3 trillion Monday (Sept. 15) for the first time.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The milestone was driven by a revitalization in optimism a ...

By Johann M Cherian and Shashwat Chauhan (Reuters) - Google parent Alphabet hit a market capitalization of $3 trillion for the first time on Monday, riding on renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and a favorable antitrust ruling. Class A shares of the company were up 3.8% at $250, while Class C shares climbed 3.7% to $250.4 - both trading at record highs. Including Monday's gains, the company's shares have rallied more than 32% so far this year, the best performer among the so-called "Magnifi ...

Core Viewpoint - A US judge is expected to decide on whether Google should divest its Chrome browser as part of antitrust proceedings, with Perplexity AI offering $34.5 billion for the browser, which is nearly double its recent valuation of $18 billion [3][4]. Group 1: Antitrust Proceedings - The US government is advocating for Google to sell Chrome to mitigate its dominance in online search, especially as AI technology is enhancing its market position [5]. - Google is contesting the divestment, arguing that it would not promote competition and could harm innovation and user experience [8]. Group 2: Perplexity AI's Offer - Perplexity AI's proposal aims to place Chrome under an independent operator focused on consumer protection and continuity [4]. - Analysts from Baird Equity Research suggest that Perplexity's offer undervalues Chrome and may be a strategy to influence the antitrust case or attract other bidders [6][7]. Group 3: Market Implications - The potential divestiture of Chrome could have significant global implications, as over 80% of its users are outside the US [8]. - The competition landscape is evolving with the rise of generative AI technologies from rivals like Microsoft and ChatGPT, which could impact Chrome's market share [9][10].

Core Points - The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) proposed new digital regulations that may require Google to allow British users to choose rival search services [3][4] - The CMA's priority measures include implementing "choice screens" for users of key Google products like Chrome and Android, enabling easy selection and switching between search services [4][5] - Google may be designated with a "strategic market status" label, which would empower the CMA to impose targeted changes to Google's search operations in the UK [5][6] Group 1 - The CMA aims to ensure that Google's search results are fair and non-discriminatory, providing businesses with a means to complain about unfair treatment [7] - Publishers should have transparency and choice regarding how their content is utilized for AI services, particularly concerning AI-generated summaries in search results [7] - The CMA also seeks to facilitate the transfer of user data, such as Google search history, to other businesses, potentially fostering innovation in new products and services [8]

Core Argument - Google is urging a US judge to reject the proposal to spin off its Chrome browser, arguing that such a move would not effectively weaken its dominance in online search [1][6]. Legal Proceedings - The US District Court Judge Amit Mehta is considering remedies after determining that Google holds an illegal monopoly in search [2]. - Rival attorneys are advocating for Google to divest its Chrome browser and to be barred from exclusive agreements with partners like Apple and Samsung [3]. Testimonies and Evidence - Google's attorney, John Schmidtlein, stated that no evidence was presented indicating users would choose a different search engine if exclusivity deals were absent [4]. - During the trial, none of the witnesses expressed a desire to switch to Microsoft's Bing if given more flexibility [5]. Government's Position - The Department of Justice argues that Apple sought more flexibility in its agreements with Google but was denied, highlighting the restrictive nature of Google's practices [5]. - The US government is pushing for significant changes, including the potential sale of Google's Android operating system [6]. Competitive Landscape - The antitrust case against Google is occurring alongside the rise of generative artificial intelligence technologies from competitors like OpenAI and Microsoft, which are changing how users access information online [7][8]. - Google is heavily investing in AI to maintain its competitive edge in search and other online services [8].