Snap Stock Receives Upgrade Following Earnings Report, But Wall Street's Optimism Varies.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3d ago
0mins
Should l Buy GOOG?
Source: Barron's
- Stock Upgrade: Snap's stock received an upgrade on Thursday.
- Market Reaction: Despite the upgrade, shares fell due to ongoing concerns about the company's growth prospects.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy GOOG?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on GOOG
Wall Street analysts forecast GOOG stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for GOOG is 336.08 USD with a low forecast of 255.00 USD and a high forecast of 400.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
15 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 331.330
Low
255.00
Averages
336.08
High
400.00
Current: 331.330
Low
255.00
Averages
336.08
High
400.00
About GOOG
Alphabet Inc. is a holding company. The Company's segments include Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets. The Google Services segment includes products and services such as ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Google Maps, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. The Google Cloud segment includes infrastructure and platform services, collaboration tools, and other services for enterprise customers. Its Other Bets segment is engaged in the sale of healthcare-related services and Internet services. Its Google Cloud provides enterprise-ready cloud services, including Google Cloud Platform and Google Workspace. Google Cloud Platform provides access to solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) offerings, including its AI infrastructure, Vertex AI platform, and Gemini for Google Cloud; cybersecurity, and data and analytics. Google Workspace includes cloud-based communication and collaboration tools for enterprises, such as Calendar, Gmail, Docs, Drive, and Meet.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Microsoft's Cloud Computing Drives Market Performance Potential
- Stock Price Pressure: Microsoft has had a rough start to 2026, with its stock down 11% year-to-date, including a 10% drop in a single day following its second-quarter earnings report, complicating its ability to outperform the market this year.
- Cloud Growth Potential: Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing division, achieved a remarkable 39% revenue growth in Q2 2025, while the overall growth rate was 17%, underscoring the central role of cloud computing in the company's strategy.
- Competitive Advantage Analysis: Although Microsoft does not separately disclose Azure's profits, its operating margins are estimated to be between 25% and 35%, which may be lower than Microsoft's overall operating margin of 47%, compared to competitors AWS and Google Cloud.
- Future Outlook: With the ongoing demand for cloud computing, Microsoft is positioned to achieve stronger market performance in the coming years through its Azure platform, despite current stock price pressures, as the potential of cloud computing remains a key to its strategic success.
See More
Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing Grows Rapidly
- Azure Growth Momentum: Microsoft's Azure cloud computing division achieved a remarkable 39% revenue growth in Q2 2025, highlighting its critical role in the company's overall 17% growth, indicating that cloud computing will continue to drive Microsoft's future development.
- Market Competition Analysis: Although Microsoft does not disclose Azure's financials separately, its operating margins are likely between 25% and 35%, compared to competitors Amazon AWS and Google Cloud's margins of 35% and 24%, respectively, which may exert some pressure on overall profitability.
- Investment Opportunity: Microsoft's expansion in the cloud computing sector presents a significant market opportunity, especially as demand for AI surges, leading enterprise clients to prefer renting data centers rather than building them, thus fueling Azure's rapid growth.
- Stock Market Performance Challenges: Despite Microsoft's stock price dropping 11% at the start of 2026, Azure's strong growth could help it outperform the market in the future, particularly as the broader market has only risen by 1%, providing Microsoft with a chance to regain its market position.
See More
Tesla and Waymo's Divergent Approaches to Autonomous Driving
- Elevated Safety Standards: Waymo's VP Srikanth Thirumalai stated in an interview that the standards for autonomous driving should exceed human capabilities, emphasizing that safety is paramount, with future efforts focused on reducing sensor costs and improving software quality to ensure product safety.
- Sensor System Optimization: Currently, Waymo employs a comprehensive system with 29 cameras, 5 lidars, and 6 radars to enhance AI perception, planning to reduce the number of sensors in future robotaxi models while iterating and innovating to lower costs and improve software performance.
- Tesla's AI Perspective: Tesla's VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, emphasized at the ScaledML Conference that autonomous driving should rely on cameras rather than sensors, arguing that the challenge lies in AI capabilities rather than sensor technology, highlighting the importance of information extraction.
- Ongoing Industry Debate: Despite differing views on autonomous driving technology, both Waymo and Tesla acknowledge the challenges in achieving fully safe autonomous driving, indicating that the debate within the industry continues to evolve.
See More
Federal Judge Orders Elon Musk to Testify in USAID Case
- Musk Ordered to Testify: A federal judge has ruled that Elon Musk must testify regarding his role in dismantling USAID, rejecting his legal team's attempt to avoid questioning, which could impact Musk's reputation and future business endeavors.
- Alphabet Beats Earnings Estimates: Alphabet reported fourth-quarter revenue of $113.83 billion, surpassing the Street consensus estimate of $111.31 billion, with earnings per share of $2.82 exceeding expectations of $2.63, indicating strong performance in advertising and cloud services that may drive stock price increases.
- Amazon Delivery Milestone: Amazon announced it delivered over 13 billion items globally in 2025, with more than 8 billion items reaching U.S. Prime members the same or next day, a speed enhancement that will further strengthen its competitive position in the e-commerce market.
- Tesla's New Model Launch: Tesla unveiled a new All-Wheel Drive variant of the Model Y in the U.S. and Puerto Rico following Elon Musk's announcement of discontinuing the Model S and X, which could attract more consumers and enhance market share.
See More
Apple Stock Gains Momentum Amid AI Developments
- Strong Earnings Report: Apple reported a 23% increase in iPhone sales for Q1 of fiscal 2026, indicating robust market demand, which has led to an 8% rise in stock price since last week, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the company's future.
- AI Feature Innovations: CEO Tim Cook highlighted new AI capabilities during the earnings call, including live translation via AirPods and AI writing tools in 15 languages, emphasizing the importance of user privacy in AI development, aimed at enhancing user experience.
- Collaboration with Alphabet: Apple has partnered with Alphabet to relaunch Siri in 2026 and develop foundational models, indicating Apple's ongoing investment and strategic positioning in the AI space to maintain a competitive edge.
- User Experience Focus: Cook noted that Apple's success lies in its exceptional user experience; despite initial lukewarm responses to its AI tools, users are actively leveraging Apple Intelligence, with plans to release more AI tools that enhance user experience, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Apple Reports Huge iPhone Sales Surge in Q1 2026
- iPhone Sales Surge: Apple reported a remarkable 23% increase in iPhone sales for the fiscal Q1 2026, indicating strong market demand and reinforcing its leadership position in the smartphone sector due to exceptional user experience.
- Confidence in AI Platform: CEO Tim Cook highlighted Apple's commitment to developing its AI platform, introducing features like live translation and AI writing tools, which aim to enhance user experience and compete effectively, showcasing the company's confidence in future AI advancements.
- Collaboration with Alphabet: Apple has partnered with Alphabet to develop foundational models and plans to relaunch Siri in 2026, indicating a strategic pivot in AI that aims to enhance its competitiveness in the smart assistant market.
- Stock Price Recovery: Following the earnings report, Apple's stock has risen by 8%, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's growth potential, particularly as ongoing innovations in AI and user experience are expected to drive long-term growth.
See More
Microsoft's Cloud Computing Drives Market Performance Potential
- Stock Price Pressure: Microsoft has had a rough start to 2026, with its stock down 11% year-to-date, including a 10% drop in a single day following its second-quarter earnings report, complicating its ability to outperform the market this year.
- Cloud Growth Potential: Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing division, achieved a remarkable 39% revenue growth in Q2 2025, while the overall growth rate was 17%, underscoring the central role of cloud computing in the company's strategy.
- Competitive Advantage Analysis: Although Microsoft does not separately disclose Azure's profits, its operating margins are estimated to be between 25% and 35%, which may be lower than Microsoft's overall operating margin of 47%, compared to competitors AWS and Google Cloud.
- Future Outlook: With the ongoing demand for cloud computing, Microsoft is positioned to achieve stronger market performance in the coming years through its Azure platform, despite current stock price pressures, as the potential of cloud computing remains a key to its strategic success.
See More
Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing Grows Rapidly
- Azure Growth Momentum: Microsoft's Azure cloud computing division achieved a remarkable 39% revenue growth in Q2 2025, highlighting its critical role in the company's overall 17% growth, indicating that cloud computing will continue to drive Microsoft's future development.
- Market Competition Analysis: Although Microsoft does not disclose Azure's financials separately, its operating margins are likely between 25% and 35%, compared to competitors Amazon AWS and Google Cloud's margins of 35% and 24%, respectively, which may exert some pressure on overall profitability.
- Investment Opportunity: Microsoft's expansion in the cloud computing sector presents a significant market opportunity, especially as demand for AI surges, leading enterprise clients to prefer renting data centers rather than building them, thus fueling Azure's rapid growth.
- Stock Market Performance Challenges: Despite Microsoft's stock price dropping 11% at the start of 2026, Azure's strong growth could help it outperform the market in the future, particularly as the broader market has only risen by 1%, providing Microsoft with a chance to regain its market position.
See More
Tesla and Waymo's Divergent Approaches to Autonomous Driving
- Elevated Safety Standards: Waymo's VP Srikanth Thirumalai stated in an interview that the standards for autonomous driving should exceed human capabilities, emphasizing that safety is paramount, with future efforts focused on reducing sensor costs and improving software quality to ensure product safety.
- Sensor System Optimization: Currently, Waymo employs a comprehensive system with 29 cameras, 5 lidars, and 6 radars to enhance AI perception, planning to reduce the number of sensors in future robotaxi models while iterating and innovating to lower costs and improve software performance.
- Tesla's AI Perspective: Tesla's VP of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, emphasized at the ScaledML Conference that autonomous driving should rely on cameras rather than sensors, arguing that the challenge lies in AI capabilities rather than sensor technology, highlighting the importance of information extraction.
- Ongoing Industry Debate: Despite differing views on autonomous driving technology, both Waymo and Tesla acknowledge the challenges in achieving fully safe autonomous driving, indicating that the debate within the industry continues to evolve.
See More
Federal Judge Orders Elon Musk to Testify in USAID Case
- Musk Ordered to Testify: A federal judge has ruled that Elon Musk must testify regarding his role in dismantling USAID, rejecting his legal team's attempt to avoid questioning, which could impact Musk's reputation and future business endeavors.
- Alphabet Beats Earnings Estimates: Alphabet reported fourth-quarter revenue of $113.83 billion, surpassing the Street consensus estimate of $111.31 billion, with earnings per share of $2.82 exceeding expectations of $2.63, indicating strong performance in advertising and cloud services that may drive stock price increases.
- Amazon Delivery Milestone: Amazon announced it delivered over 13 billion items globally in 2025, with more than 8 billion items reaching U.S. Prime members the same or next day, a speed enhancement that will further strengthen its competitive position in the e-commerce market.
- Tesla's New Model Launch: Tesla unveiled a new All-Wheel Drive variant of the Model Y in the U.S. and Puerto Rico following Elon Musk's announcement of discontinuing the Model S and X, which could attract more consumers and enhance market share.
See More
Apple Stock Gains Momentum Amid AI Developments
- Strong Earnings Report: Apple reported a 23% increase in iPhone sales for Q1 of fiscal 2026, indicating robust market demand, which has led to an 8% rise in stock price since last week, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the company's future.
- AI Feature Innovations: CEO Tim Cook highlighted new AI capabilities during the earnings call, including live translation via AirPods and AI writing tools in 15 languages, emphasizing the importance of user privacy in AI development, aimed at enhancing user experience.
- Collaboration with Alphabet: Apple has partnered with Alphabet to relaunch Siri in 2026 and develop foundational models, indicating Apple's ongoing investment and strategic positioning in the AI space to maintain a competitive edge.
- User Experience Focus: Cook noted that Apple's success lies in its exceptional user experience; despite initial lukewarm responses to its AI tools, users are actively leveraging Apple Intelligence, with plans to release more AI tools that enhance user experience, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Apple Reports Huge iPhone Sales Surge in Q1 2026
- iPhone Sales Surge: Apple reported a remarkable 23% increase in iPhone sales for the fiscal Q1 2026, indicating strong market demand and reinforcing its leadership position in the smartphone sector due to exceptional user experience.
- Confidence in AI Platform: CEO Tim Cook highlighted Apple's commitment to developing its AI platform, introducing features like live translation and AI writing tools, which aim to enhance user experience and compete effectively, showcasing the company's confidence in future AI advancements.
- Collaboration with Alphabet: Apple has partnered with Alphabet to develop foundational models and plans to relaunch Siri in 2026, indicating a strategic pivot in AI that aims to enhance its competitiveness in the smart assistant market.
- Stock Price Recovery: Following the earnings report, Apple's stock has risen by 8%, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's growth potential, particularly as ongoing innovations in AI and user experience are expected to drive long-term growth.
See More
