Latest news with #search
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Reasons to Buy Alphabet Stock Like There's No Tomorrow
Investors' worries that AI could disrupt search have sent Alphabet shares to a very attractive valuation. However, many investors miss the inherent advantages that Alphabet has. Meanwhile, Google Cloud and Waymo have the potential to be huge businesses. 10 stocks we like better than Alphabet › One stock that divides many investors at this time is Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG). A big reason some investors are bearish on the name is that they believe artificial intelligence (AI) will disrupt its highly profitable search business. While certainly a risk, I don't think that is going to happen. Let's look at four reasons why I'm bullish on the stock to the point where I would recommend buying it like there is no tomorrow. AI is potentially one of the biggest technological advancements of our generation. However, while it is very good at many things, there is good reason to believe that AI chatbots won't replace search. Cost is one main issue. Running AI queries is much more costly than search queries, which is why there are often limits placed on the number of queries someone can run, and paid tiers. Investors recently got a peek into the amount of money that AI search start-up Perplexity AI is losing for trial users and users on its free tier, as the company spends heavily on third-party AI models and cloud computing services. Meanwhile, OpenAI said that it loses money on its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan. In addition, there will continue to be a large number of people who will not spend money on AI and prefer free, ad-supported search. And when it comes to ad-supported search, whether it be powered by AI or regular search, Google has established a wide moat through its distribution and ad network advantages. The company's search engine is preinstalled and the default engine for billions of devices. Its Android operating system has about a 70% market share in the smartphone market, while its Chrome browser has a 66% market share. Both use Google as their default search engine. Meanwhile, it has a revenue-sharing deal with Apple to be the default search engine on its devices through Safari, which helps it capture much of the rest of the market. It even has revenue-share deals with other browsers, such as Opera, to be their search engine. At the same time, Alphabet has created one of the largest ad networks on the planet. Early on, the company built up its ability to serve local markets through location-based ad targeting and letting local businesses create free listings to improve their presence on search. Meanwhile, its self-service platform makes it easy for local businesses to run campaigns themselves. With a huge user base, Alphabet can connect advertisers with consumers on everything from a global to a local level. Typically, for a search query to be monetized, there must be some form of commercial intent, which is why Google has historically only displayed ads on about 20% of searches. This also highlights the significance of Alphabet's latest AI-powered search updates. With the launch of its new AI mode, the company added several commerce-focused features aimed at enhancing monetization. One standout is "Shop by AI," which allows users to find products simply by describing them, virtually try on clothes using a photo, and even track prices. Google also introduced generative AI capabilities that can perform tasks like finding the best ticket deals across platforms from sites such as Ticketmaster and StubHub. These innovations could help drive new ad opportunities over time. Between Google's unmatched distribution, massive ad network, strong data advantage, and the growing strength of its Gemini AI model -- not to mention its renewed focus on commerce -- I see AI as more of a long-term opportunity for Alphabet than a threat. While much of the investor focus has been on Google search, Alphabet's cloud computing unit, Google Cloud, has been a strong growth driver for the company. Cloud computing is a high-fixed-cost business, and Google Cloud has recently gained enough scale to cover its fixed costs, hitting a profitability inflection point. This was seen in its results in the first quarter of 2025, where the unit grew its revenue 28% year over year to $12.3 billion, while its segment operating income soared 142% to $2.2 billion. Google Cloud is seeing momentum as customers use its Gemini foundational models to build and customize their own AI tools, then run those workloads on its infrastructure. Its Vertex AI platform, meanwhile, makes it easier for organizations to build, deploy, and manage models all in one place. At the same time, Google Cloud continues to lean into its strengths in data analytics with tools like BigQuery and its leadership in Kubernetes, which are software packages that bundle apps with everything they need to run. Alphabet is investing heavily in data center infrastructure to keep up with demand, and this should be a strong, growing business in the year ahead. Meanwhile, the company has a cost advantage through the development of its own custom AI chips that consume less power, lowering its cost of ownership over time. Another big potential growth driver for Alphabet that should not be overlooked is its Waymo robotaxi business. The company has gotten a big first-mover advantage in the U.S. and has started to see rapid growth as it expands to more cities. Meanwhile, it has recently teamed up with Uber Technologies in a few cities to gain access to its large distribution platform and for help with fleet management services, such as cleaning, maintenance, and charging its vehicles. Waymo is now providing over 250,000 paid robotaxi rides per week, and Uber reported that in Austin, Texas, Waymo vehicles were busier than 99% of its human drivers in the city, based on trips per day. As the technology gains traction, it's likely that adoption in new cities will accelerate even faster. Alphabet will still likely need to lower the costs of its technology for this business to become profitable, but it is a huge opportunity. With investors seemingly unable to see the forest for the trees of late, Alphabet has been left with a very cheap valuation. The stock currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18 times based on analysts' estimates for 2025. For a company with a strong collection of market-leading and emerging growth businesses, that valuation is just too cheap. Alphabet is one of the least expensive megacap tech stocks tied to AI, and this is a great time to pick up shares on the cheap. Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $638,985!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $853,108!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet and Opera. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 4 Reasons to Buy Alphabet Stock Like There's No Tomorrow was originally published by The Motley Fool
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Police resume search for missing nine-year-old girl who vanished into Thames in front of her parents after her brother was plucked to safety
Police have resumed their desperate search for a missing nine-year-old girl after she and her sibling fell from a pier into the River Thames. Lifeboats and coastguard helicopters spent yesterday afternoon hunting for the girl, who vanished near the Royal Terrace Pier at Gravesend, Kent, in front of her parents. Locals joined the authorities at the promenade to help the family, believed to be from Romania, with the search for the missing girl. Her brother, thought to be aged 7, was recovered from the water and has been taken to the hospital for further medical attention. Two men jumped into the river to save him, KentOnline reports. However, the search for the girl, understood to be aged 9, continued into the evening but was suspended around 6.30pm. It restarted this morning. Warning signs reading 'DANGER. Strong currents. Deep mud. WARNING KEEP OFF' are posted every 40ft along the promenade edge. Two park users said the children had gone onto a jetty which leads down to the water before the alarm was first raised at around 1.35pm. A woman, who did not want to be named, said: 'Apparently they were sitting on the end of the jetty with their feet in the water. 'Exactly what happened I don't know but the jetty is very slippery. There's steps off of it.' One woman, who made her way to the pier to help with the search, said: 'The little girl is Romanian. We saw it on our community group so we we came down here to help. We don't know her name or the family.' An RNLI lifeboat, coastguard helicopter as well as police boats were involved in the search operation. Other locals spoke of their horror at the ongoing search. One said: 'I saw the helicopter earlier but didn't realise what it was about. It's awful news. I hope she's found safely.' Another added: 'The river is so dangerous. The currents are incredibly strong. 'It looks calm and lovely but it is treacherous. You can be swept away in seconds,' she continued. 'And the water is freezing cold too. 'I remember when I was young there was a teenage lad who got caught in the current while swimming. They eventually found him on the mudflats. 'I hope the girl is found safe and well. It's awful.' An HM Coastguard spokesman said: 'HM Coastguard responded to a report of two children in difficulty in the water near the Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend. The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm on May 30. 'Metropolitan Police boats were attending as well as the RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend, Kent Police, and a police helicopter. South East Coast Ambulance Service was sent. 'One child has been recovered and the search for a second child has now been suspended.' A cordon has been put place at the junction of Commercial Place, The Terrace and Milton Place. It is understood a nearby fitness area was also been taped off. Several emergency services vehicles have also been spotted by the Royal Pier Terrace and the Port of London authority's (PLA) office. An eyewitness told KentOnline: 'Officers are stationed along the river from Royal Terrace Pier to Town Pier and appear to be looking in the water. 'There are approximately four boats out at sea, including police and RNLI vessels.' A Kent Police spokesperson said: 'Officers, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene where a boy had been retrieved from the water. 'He was taken to local hospital for further medical attention. A search of the water led by HM Coastguard for a girl who remains missing is currently suspended.' 'He was taken to local hospital for further medical attention. 'A search is underway for a girl who remains missing. The parents of the children have been informed.' A South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) spokesperson said: 'SECAmb were called at approx. 1.40pm today to concerns for the welfare of two people who had entered the river at Royal Pier Road in Gravesend. 'Crews attended the scene, and a male patient was assessed and treated before being taken to a local hospital for further medical treatment.' A spokesperson confirmed the Gravesend RNLI were tasked by the coastguard to assist police shortly before 2pm and currently remain on scene. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said said: 'The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm on 30 May. 'Metropolitan Police boats were attending as well as the RNLI lifeboat from Gravesend, Kent Police, and a police helicopter. East Coast Ambulance Service was sent. 'One child has been recovered and the search for a second child has now been suspended.'
Globe and Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
4 Reasons to Buy Alphabet Stock Like There's No Tomorrow
One stock that divides many investors at this time is Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL)(NASDAQ: GOOG). A big reason some investors are bearish on the name is that they believe artificial intelligence (AI) will disrupt its highly profitable search business. While certainly a risk, I don't think that is going to happen. Let's look at four reasons why I'm bullish on the stock to the point where I would recommend buying it like there is no tomorrow. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » 1. Alphabet has search advantages and opportunities AI is potentially one of the biggest technological advancements of our generation. However, while it is very good at many things, there is good reason to believe that AI chatbots won't replace search. Cost is one main issue. Running AI queries is much more costly than search queries, which is why there are often limits placed on the number of queries someone can run, and paid tiers. Investors recently got a peek into the amount of money that AI search start-up Perplexity AI is losing for trial users and users on its free tier, as the company spends heavily on third-party AI models and cloud c omputing services. Meanwhile, OpenAI said that it loses money on its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan. In addition, there will continue to be a large number of people who will not spend money on AI and prefer free, ad-supported search. And when it comes to ad-supported search, whether it be powered by AI or regular search, Google has established a wide moat through its distribution and ad network advantages. The company's search engine is preinstalled and the default engine for billions of devices. Its Android operating system has about a 70% market share in the smartphone market, while its Chrome browser has a 66% market share. Both use Google as their default search engine. Meanwhile, it has a revenue-sharing deal with Apple to be the default search engine on its devices through Safari, which helps it capture much of the rest of the market. It even has revenue-share deals with other browsers, such as Opera, to be their search engine. At the same time, Alphabet has created one of the largest ad networks on the planet. Early on, the company built up its ability to serve local markets through location-based ad targeting and letting local businesses create free listings to improve their presence on search. Meanwhile, its self-service platform makes it easy for local businesses to run campaigns themselves. With a huge user base, Alphabet can connect advertisers with consumers on everything from a global to a local level. Typically, for a search query to be monetized, there must be some form of commercial intent, which is why Google has historically only displayed ads on about 20% of searches. This also highlights the significance of Alphabet's latest AI-powered search updates. With the launch of its new AI mode, the company added several commerce-focused features aimed at enhancing monetization. One standout is "Shop by AI," which allows users to find products simply by describing them, virtually try on clothes using a photo, and even track prices. Google also introduced generative AI capabilities that can perform tasks like finding the best ticket deals across platforms from sites such as Ticketmaster and StubHub. These innovations could help drive new ad opportunities over time. Between Google's unmatched distribution, massive ad network, strong data advantage, and the growing strength of its Gemini AI model -- not to mention its renewed focus on commerce -- I see AI as more of a long-term opportunity for Alphabet than a threat. 2. Google Cloud is driving Alphabet's growth these days While much of the investor focus has been on Google search, Alphabet's cloud computing unit, Google Cloud, has been a strong growth driver for the company. Cloud computing is a high-fixed-cost business, and Google Cloud has recently gained enough scale to cover its fixed costs, hitting a profitability inflection point. This was seen in its results in the first quarter of 2025, where the unit grew its revenue 28% year over year to $12.3 billion, while its segment operating income soared 142% to $2.2 billion. Google Cloud is seeing momentum as customers use its Gemini foundational models to build and customize their own AI tools, then run those workloads on its infrastructure. Its Vertex AI platform, meanwhile, makes it easier for organizations to build, deploy, and manage models all in one place. At the same time, Google Cloud continues to lean into its strengths in data analytics with tools like BigQuery and its leadership in Kubernetes, which are software packages that bundle apps with everything they need to run. Alphabet is investing heavily in data center infrastructure to keep up with demand, and this should be a strong, growing business in the year ahead. Meanwhile, the company has a cost advantage through the development of its own custom AI chips that consume less power, lowering its cost of ownership over time. 3. Waymo has a first-mover advantage Another big potential growth driver for Alphabet that should not be overlooked is its Waymo robotaxi business. The company has gotten a big first-mover advantage in the U.S. and has started to see rapid growth as it expands to more cities. Meanwhile, it has recently teamed up with Uber Technologies in a few cities to gain access to its large distribution platform and for help with fleet management services, such as cleaning, maintenance, and charging its vehicles. Waymo is now providing over 250,000 paid robotaxi rides per week, and Uber reported that in Austin, Texas, Waymo vehicles were busier than 99% of its human drivers in the city, based on trips per day. As the technology gains traction, it's likely that adoption in new cities will accelerate even faster. Alphabet will still likely need to lower the costs of its technology for this business to become profitable, but it is a huge opportunity. 4. Alphabet currently sports a cheap valuation With investors seemingly unable to see the forest for the trees of late, Alphabet has been left with a very cheap valuation. The stock currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18 times based on analysts' estimates for 2025. For a company with a strong collection of market-leading and emerging growth businesses, that valuation is just too cheap. Alphabet is one of the least expensive megacap tech stocks tied to AI, and this is a great time to pick up shares on the cheap. Should you invest $1,000 in Alphabet right now? Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $638,985!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $853,108!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to171%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025
The Australian
9 hours ago
- General
- The Australian
Pheobe Bishop's mum makes sad plea for missing Bundaberg teen
The mother of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop has made a devastating plea, as she grapples with the possibility her daughter will never come home. In a video statement shared by police on Saturday, Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson said she was enduring 'a pain no person or family should have to experience'. 'Pheobe was a beautiful, loving and kind person, and every day not knowing where she has been is devastating for us,' she said. Pheobe was last seen travelling towards Bundaberg airport on May 15, where she was scheduled to fly to Brisbane in the first leg of a trip to WA to see her boyfriend. However, she failed to board the plane and has not been seen since. The mother of Pheobe Bishop, who was last seen on May 15, has made an emotional plea for information on the whereabouts of her daughter. Picture: QLD Police 'I still hold hope that Pheobe will come home, but I have to consider the possibility that she also won't,' Ms Johnson said. 'If the worst case scenario has happened, I at least need to know where she's resting. 'I need to know where Pheobe is. 'My daughter wouldn't just disappear. Someone knows something, and as a mum I'm asking you to come forward with information.' Police launched a search of the Good Night Scrub National Park on May 23, and expanded the operation after they found evidence may have been moved from the area prior to their arrival. Some items of interest were found before the search was suspended on Wednesday after five days. Pheobe was last seen on May 15. Picture Supplied She was expected to board a flight from Bundaberg Airport., but never made it. Pheobe's flatmates, Tanika Bromley and her partner James Wood, told detectives they drove Pheobe to Bundaberg Airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight; however, police believe the teenager never reached the airport as she failed to check-in. Ms Bromley and Mr Wood have since been charged with unrelated offences after the Hyundai was seized by police and their house was declared a crime scene. During the search of the Hyundai, police allegedly uncovered a stash of weapons, including a shortened firearm, two replica handguns and ammunition. James Wood was living with Pheobe at a home in Gin Gin at the time of her disappearance. Tanika Bromley (pictured) also lived at the Gin Gin address with her partner James Wood. Ms Bromley now faces charges including possessing or acquiring restricted items, unlawful possession of weapons, and two counts of failing to hold the required authority to possess explosives. Mr Wood, 34, was also charged with one count each of unlawful possession of weapons and unauthorised possession of explosives, and was issued with a notice to appear a Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13. Authorities have confirmed there is no indication the weapons charges are linked to the missing person case. No-one has been charged in connection to the teenager's disappearance. More to come. Hannah Moore Chief of staff, NCA NewsWire Hannah Moore is NCA NewsWire's chief of staff. She was previously the morning news editor at When she's not reading or talking about the news, Hannah is looking for another coffee. @hannahrlmoore Hannah Moore
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
Mum of Pheobe Bishop pleads for information on missing Bundaberg teen, as she makes devastating call
The mother of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop has made a devastating plea, as she grapples with the possibility her daughter will never come home. In a video statement shared by police on Saturday, Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson said she was enduring 'a pain no person or family should have to experience'. 'Pheobe was a beautiful, loving and kind person, and every day not knowing where she has been is devastating for us,' she said. Pheobe was last seen travelling towards Bundaberg airport on May 15, where she was scheduled to fly to Brisbane in the first leg of a trip to WA to see her boyfriend. However, she failed to board the plane and has not been seen since. 'I still hold hope that Pheobe will come home, but I have to consider the possibility that she also won't,' Ms Johnson said. 'If the worst case scenario has happened, I at least need to know where she's resting. 'I need to know where Pheobe is. 'My daughter wouldn't just disappear. Someone knows something, and as a mum I'm asking you to come forward with information.' Police launched a search of the Good Night Scrub National Park on May 23, and expanded the operation after they found evidence may have been moved from the area prior to their arrival. Some items of interest were found before the search was suspended on Wednesday after five days. Pheobe's flatmates, Tanika Bromley and her partner James Wood, told detectives they drove Pheobe to Bundaberg Airport in a grey Hyundai ix35 for her 8.30am flight; however, police believe the teenager never reached the airport as she failed to check-in. Ms Bromley and Mr Wood have since been charged with unrelated offences after the Hyundai was seized by police and their house was declared a crime scene. During the search of the Hyundai, police allegedly uncovered a stash of weapons, including a shortened firearm, two replica handguns and ammunition. Ms Bromley now faces charges including possessing or acquiring restricted items, unlawful possession of weapons, and two counts of failing to hold the required authority to possess explosives. Mr Wood, 34, was also charged with one count each of unlawful possession of weapons and unauthorised possession of explosives, and was issued with a notice to appear a Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13. Authorities have confirmed there is no indication the weapons charges are linked to the missing person case. No-one has been charged in connection to the teenager's disappearance.
