Core Insights - Google Cloud is becoming the preferred platform for AI start-ups, significantly boosting Alphabet's profits [1][7][12] - Alphabet's stock is currently undervalued despite strong financial performance, with a revenue growth of 14% and earnings per share up 22% [1][2] - Concerns about the impact of AI on Google Search have not yet materialized, allowing for continued growth in both Search and Cloud segments [2][14] Financial Performance - Google Cloud's revenue grew 32% to $13.6 billion, with operating margins nearly doubling from 11.3% to 20.7% year-over-year [4][13] - Incremental revenue of $3.3 billion from Google Cloud resulted in $1.65 billion in operating profits, indicating margins above 50% on new cloud revenue [4][6] - The backlog for Google Cloud surged 18% sequentially and 38% year-over-year to $106 billion, suggesting sustained high growth potential [5][6] Strategic Developments - Management increased capital expenditure plans for 2025 from $75 billion to $85 billion due to high demand for Cloud services [6] - Google Cloud is attracting premier AI unicorns, with notable customers including OpenAI and Anthropic, enhancing its market position [7][9] - Google's historical expertise in AI research and development of proprietary AI chips has positioned it favorably in the cloud market [10][11] Future Outlook - If Google Search growth slows, Google Cloud's AI services could compensate for any decline, potentially leading to increased profits [14][15] - The success of AI unicorns using Google Cloud could drive further growth in the Cloud segment, offsetting any downturn in Search [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - The Q2 earnings season has seen strong results from major tech and infrastructure companies, particularly those involved in artificial intelligence, leading to upgraded analyst outlooks and price targets [1][13]. Group 1: Alphabet (GOOGL) - Alphabet, with a market capitalization exceeding $2.3 trillion, reported strong Q2 earnings, beating estimates on both sales and adjusted EPS [2][4]. - Despite a modest share price increase of 1% post-earnings, nearly 20 analysts raised their price targets, with an average increase of 6.7% [3][4]. - The MarketBeat consensus price target for Alphabet is approximately $211, indicating a potential upside of around 9%, while the updated targets suggest an upside of over 11% [4][5]. Group 2: GE Vernova (GEV) - GE Vernova, nearing mega-cap status with a market cap of around $175 million, had a strong Q2, significantly exceeding estimates and raising guidance [6][7]. - Following the earnings report, shares surged nearly 15%, and analysts raised their price targets by an average of 27% [7][8]. - The MarketBeat consensus price target for GE Vernova is about $541, suggesting a downside of around 16%, but updated targets indicate an average of nearly $698, implying an 8% upside [8]. Group 3: ServiceNow (NOW) - ServiceNow, with a market cap of $201 billion, reported Q2 results that moderately beat expectations, leading to a 4% rise in shares [10][11]. - Analysts raised their price targets by nearly 6% on average, with the consensus target around $1,115, indicating a 15% upside [11][12]. - When considering only the updated targets, the average rises to approximately $1,176, suggesting a 22% upside [12]. Group 4: Analyst Sentiment - The collective performance and upgraded outlooks for Alphabet, GE Vernova, and ServiceNow reflect renewed confidence from analysts, highlighting underappreciated upside potential [13]. - These companies are positioned at the intersection of mega-cap growth and AI-driven innovation, representing meaningful investment opportunities [13].