Online Search Ads
Search documents
In Google We Trust: Why an internet company can borrow billions for a century
Business Insider· 2026-02-09 17:42
Core Insights - Google is preparing to issue a 100-year bond, following a 50-year bond issued in November, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's long-term viability [1][4] - The interest rates on Google's bonds are only slightly higher than those of US Treasury bonds, suggesting that Google is viewed as a safe investment comparable to the US government [2] - A recent federal judge's ruling allowed Google to maintain its monopoly status, which has led to significant profits, with net income reaching $132 billion in 2025 and plans to invest $185 billion in AI-related infrastructure in 2026 [3] Company Position - Google is now seen as a government-approved monopoly, with the ability to set prices for online search ads without regulatory constraints, unlike utilities that are price-controlled [2][5] - The issuance of a 100-year bond in British pounds places Google alongside entities like the University of Oxford and EDF, which are among the few that have borrowed for such long durations [4] Future Outlook - There is speculation about Google's long-term sustainability, with comparisons made to the US's potential to thrive in the next 50 to 100 years [4] - Google is appealing the recent monopoly ruling, arguing that it operates in a competitive market and seeking to pause the implementation of specific remedies during the appeal process [6]