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Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Sold by Cooke & Bieler LP

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Sold by Cooke & Bieler LP

  • 24.03.2025 10:48
  • etfdailynews.com
  • Keywords: Alphabet, Cooke & Bieler LP

Cooke & Bieler LP reduced its Alphabet Inc. holdings by selling 125 shares in the 4th quarter, while other investors adjusted their positions. Alphabet's stock rose 0.7%, with analysts giving it a "Moderate Buy" rating and a $210.59 target price. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share.

Alphabet NewsAlphabet ProductsAlphabet ServicesGOOGLsentiment_dissatisfied

Estimated market influence

Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

The company's shares were sold by Cooke & Bieler LP, which could indicate a loss of investor confidence.

Cooke & Bieler LP

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Trimmed holdings in Alphabet Inc., suggesting strategic portfolio management.

Context

Analysis of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Institutional Holdings and Trading Activity

  • Cooke & Bieler LP: Trimmed holdings by 1.5% in Q4, selling 125 shares worth $1,536,000. Total holdings valued at $1,536,000.
  • Compass Planning Associates Inc: Purchased new position worth $30,000 in Q4.
  • LMR Partners LLP: Acquired new stake worth $32,000 in Q3.
  • E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd: Increased holdings by 518.8% in Q4, now owning 198 shares valued at $37,000.
  • Fiduciary Advisors Inc: Purchased new position worth $39,000 in Q4.
  • PayPay Securities Corp: Boosted position by 36.1% in Q4, now owning 245 shares worth $46,000.
  • Total Institutional Ownership: 40.03%.

Analyst Ratings and Price Targets

  • Average Rating: "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target price of $210.59 (MarketBeat.com).
  • Recent Reports:
    • Robert W. Baird: Reaffirmed "outperform" rating, $205.00 target.
    • JPMorgan Chase & Co.: Reduced target from $232.00 to $220.00, maintained "overweight."
    • Wells Fargo: Increased target from $187.00 to $190.00, maintained "equal weight."
    • Piper Sandler: Decreased target from $210.00 to $208.00, maintained "overweight."

Stock Performance and Financial Metrics

  • Stock Price: Opened at $163.99 on Monday.
  • Moving Averages:
    • 50-day: $182.57
    • 200-day: $176.65
  • Price Range:
    • 12-month low: $147.22
    • 12-month high: $207.05
  • Financial Ratios:
    • Current Ratio: 1.84
    • Quick Ratio: 1.84
    • Debt-to-Equity: 0.03
    • Market Cap: $2.00 trillion
    • P/E Ratio: 20.37
    • Price-to-Earnings-Growth (PEG) Ratio: 1.34
    • Beta: 1.02

Earnings and Dividend Information

  • Q4 Earnings:
    • EPS: $2.15 (vs. consensus estimate of $2.12).
    • Net Margin: 28.60%
    • Return on Equity: 32.49%
  • Dividend Announcement:
    • Quarterly dividend: $0.20 per share (annualized $0.80).
    • Dividend Yield: 0.49%
    • Dividend Payout Ratio (DPR): 9.94%

Insider Transactions

  • Director Transactions:
    • Sold 200 shares at an average price of $165.53, total transaction value: $33,106.
    • Ownership decreased by 2.50% to 7,813 shares valued at $1,293,285.89.
  • Other Insider Sales:
    • Total insider sales over last 90 days: 93,048 shares worth $17,374,274.
    • Insiders own 11.55% of the company’s stock.

Market Implications and Strategic Considerations

  • Mixed Institutional Activity: While some investors are reducing positions (e.g., Cooke & Bieler LP), others are increasing or initiating stakes (e.g., E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd.), indicating divergent views on Alphabet's long-term prospects.
  • Analyst Sentiment: The "Moderate Buy" average rating suggests cautious optimism, with target prices reflecting expectations of stable growth but tempered by recent market dynamics.
  • Competitive Dynamics: As a leading tech giant, Alphabet faces competition across its segments (Google Services, Cloud, and Other Bets). However, its strong financial performance and product portfolio (e.g., Android, Chrome, YouTube) position it as a key player in the industry.
  • Long-Term Effects:
    • The company’s ability to maintain high margins (28.60%) and return on equity (32.49%) highlights its efficient operations and profitability.
    • Insider sales may raise questions about management confidence, though their significant ownership stake suggests alignment with shareholder interests.
  • Regulatory Impact: While not explicitly detailed in the text, Alphabet’s size and dominance in key markets could attract regulatory scrutiny, potentially impacting its competitive strategies.

Conclusion

Alphabet Inc. remains a critical player in the technology and information services sector, with strong financial fundamentals and a diverse product portfolio. However, mixed institutional activity, analyst downgrades, and insider sales suggest heightened market sensitivity to its performance. The company’s ability to navigate regulatory challenges, maintain innovation, and sustain growth will be key determinants of its long-term success.