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AI updates in focus amid Big Tech’s spending spree


Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) is set to release quarterly results after the bell on Tuesday, kicking off a big earnings week for US tech giants after a wobbly run on Wall Street.

The company is expected to offer updates on its efforts to turn massive AI investments into new revenue streams and its position in the massive digital ad market.

Here’s what Wall Street is expecting for some of Alphabet’s most significant metrics in the company’s fiscal third quarter, according to Bloomberg data:

  • Revenue: $86.44 billion expected ($76.69 billion in Q3 2023)

  • Adjusted earnings per share: $1.83 expected ($1.55 in Q3 2023)

  • Cloud revenue: $10.79 billion expected ($8.41 billion in Q3 2023)

  • Ad revenue: $65.5 billion expected ($59.65 billion in Q3 2023)

Last year, Google was widely seen as playing catch-up to Microsoft (MSFT), which was among the first in the tech world to reap the cultural excitement around consumer AI chatbots. But in the quarters since, Google has attempted to advance its own leadership position. Earlier this month, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai sent a note to employees outlining another internal reorganization, shifting personnel to prioritize AI development.

And last week, the Information reported that the company is developing AI-driven technology that takes over a web browser to complete tasks such as buying products or booking a flight. The report said that Google could preview the technology as early as December.

Analysts will be looking to probe the company’s progress on AI integration to get a better read on the costs of developing sophisticated AI technologies. Capital expenditures are expected to exceed $12 billion for the quarter.

View at the Google DeepMind logo at the office building in London, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Earlier this month Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai sent a note to employees discussing shifting personnel to prioritize AI development, including placing the Gemini app team under Google DeepMind. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) · ASSOCIATED PRESS

Industry watchers also anticipate an expansion of Google’s cloud business, an increasingly important segment to investors because of its use in the development of artificial intelligence. Wall Street projects Google Cloud revenue to register nearly $11 billion, boasting a roughly 28% increase from the same period last year.

“We think GOOGL has the best cloud infrastructure for the AI era and, as a result, should allow it to better manage its cost profile compared to other cloud providers, while also benefiting from a host of new revenue opportunities,” said Angelo Zino, equity analyst at CFRA Research, in a note.

Alphabet’s report arrives during a turbulent moment for the company.

Earlier this month, the US Justice Department said in court filing that it may recommend a break-up of the company to boost competition in the search engine market. The DOJ is expected to provide a more detailed document by Nov. 20 outlining their proposed remedies.





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