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In January 2025, attention remains focused on the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, with notable discussions surrounding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and its position among leading AI stocks. A recent article highlighted ten AI stocks capturing investor interest this month, and Alphabet’s performance has emerged as a focal point.
Drew Pettit, a U.S. equity strategist at Citi Research, affirmed during a CNBC program that the growth narrative for AI is poised to continue in 2025. Nonetheless, he cautioned that a significant amount of positive sentiment has likely been incorporated into current stock prices. He elaborated on sectors that could derive benefits from AI advancements, emphasizing that the trade would likely expand beyond traditional ‘pick-and-shovel’ companies to include businesses actively implementing AI solutions, like automobile manufacturers and software firms.
Pettit’s analysis included concerns about mispricing among various companies’ stocks and indicated that not all the positive developments surrounding AI would yield further stock appreciation.
Furthermore, analysis of Alphabet disclosed that the tech giant has attracted considerable hedge fund interest, with approximately 160 investors backing the company. Portfolio manager Jeremy Bryan from Gradient Investments elaborated on his optimistic outlook, noting that Alphabet is projected to experience double-digit growth in the coming years. He pointed out that, despite a robust return of nearly 40% this year, the stock’s valuation remains reasonable, trading at around 23 times earnings—a figure consistent with market averages. The challenges faced by Alphabet, particularly from regulatory scrutiny, could present buying opportunities for investors seeking value.
A critical aspect of Alphabet’s valuation is its evolving business model beyond its core search engine. The company is advancing in various sectors, including AI technology, autonomous vehicles, and digital advertising, which contribute to its growth trajectory. In particular, Alphabet’s Waymo division is making strides with its robotaxi service, demonstrating substantial growth in paid rides and showcasing a competitive advantage over traditional ride-sharing companies.
In the third quarter of 2024, Alphabet reported an increase of over 12% year-over-year in its Search & Other segment, with revenue climbing to $49.39 billion. YouTube’s advertising revenue also reflected healthy growth, while the company’s other ventures, including Google Cloud, achieved profitability for the first time this year, signaling strong underlying business fundamentals.
The RiverPark Large Growth Fund’s third-quarter investor letter pointed out Alphabet as a key detractor, despite its solid revenue growth, particularly in search and cloud services. Investors expressed concern regarding increased capital expenditures necessary to support future AI development and infrastructure enhancements.
Overall, Alphabet ranks third among the ten AI stocks currently attracting investor attention. While it holds significant potential, many analysts suggest there are lesser-known AI stocks that could offer greater prospective returns and might be undervalued in the current market. For those interested in discovering more about promising AI stocks trading under five times their earnings, additional resources discussing these opportunities are available.
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finance.yahoo.com