Wellington Management Group LLP has decreased its stake in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) by 13.3% during the first quarter of 2023, as reported by Holdings Channel. The firm sold 3,074,610 shares, bringing its total ownership to 19,963,633 shares, valued at approximately $3.12 billion at the end of the quarter. This move reflects a broader trend among institutional investors, who have recently adjusted their positions in the technology giant.
Several other significant investors have also modified their stakes in Alphabet. Principia Wealth Advisory LLC notably increased its holding by 111.8%, acquiring 85 additional shares to reach a total of 161 shares valued at about $26,000. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC and Goodman Advisory Group LLC also entered new positions valued at $26,000 and $32,000, respectively. In total, institutional investors and hedge funds hold 27.26% of Alphabet’s stock.
Analysts Forecast Positive Growth for Alphabet
Recent analyst reports indicate a generally optimistic outlook for Alphabet. Scotiabank raised its price target from $200.00 to $240.00, assigning a “sector outperform” rating in a note dated July 22, 2023. Roth Capital and Cowen maintained their “buy” ratings in early July, while Rosenblatt Securities upgraded the stock from a “hold” to a “strong-buy” rating on April 25, 2023. Conversely, BNP Paribas downgraded Alphabet from “strong-buy” to “hold” on June 26, 2023.
As of now, three analysts have given the stock a sell rating, six have rated it hold, seventeen have assigned a buy rating, and five have issued a strong buy rating. According to MarketBeat.com, Alphabet currently holds an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with a consensus price target of $215.19.
Alphabet shares opened at $204.91 on Monday. The company’s financial metrics show a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stock has fluctuated between a 52-week low of $142.66 and a high of $208.70. The 50-day moving average price stands at $185.21, while the 200-day moving average is $174.52.
Strong Quarterly Performance and Dividend Announcement
Alphabet recently released its quarterly earnings results on July 23, 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.31, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.12 by $0.19. Alphabet achieved a return on equity of 34.31% and a net margin of 31.12%. The firm generated $96.43 billion in revenue for the quarter, exceeding expectations of $93.67 billion, marking a year-over-year revenue increase of 13.8%.
In addition to its earnings report, Alphabet announced a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share, set to be paid on September 15, 2023. Shareholders on record as of September 8, 2023, will receive this dividend, which translates to an annualized rate of $0.84 and a yield of 0.4%. The company’s current payout ratio is 8.95%.
Insider Transactions Raise Interest
Insider trading activity has also drawn attention. John Kent Walker, an insider, sold 23,820 shares of Alphabet on August 4, 2023, at an average price of $194.70, totaling approximately $4.64 million. After the sale, Walker retained 42,999 shares, valued at around $8.37 million, reflecting a 35.65% reduction in his position. This transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additionally, Director John L. Hennessy sold 600 shares on August 13, 2023, for a total of $122,274. Post-sale, he owned 6,316 shares valued at approximately $1.29 million, marking an 8.68% decrease in his stake. In total, insiders sold 274,819 shares worth about $49.80 million during the last quarter, with company insiders owning 12.99% of the stock.
Alphabet Inc. continues to operate across multiple segments, providing a range of products and services worldwide, including its core Google Services and Google Cloud offerings. As the company adapts to evolving market conditions, its performance and strategic decisions will remain closely monitored by investors and analysts alike.
