Liberty Wealth Management LLC Increases Stake in Alphabet Inc.

Liberty Wealth Management LLC has raised its investment in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) by an impressive 39.9% during the fourth quarter, as indicated in its latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm now holds a total of 15,762 shares of the technology giant, having purchased an additional 4,492 shares during this period. Valued at $3,002,000, this position shows the fund's confidence in the future of Alphabet.

Changes in Other Institutional Holdings

Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their holdings in Alphabet. For instance, Swedbank AB increased its stake by 0.6% in the third quarter, now owning 8,338,900 shares worth approximately $1.39 billion after acquiring 51,226 additional shares. Likewise, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position by 2.5% during the same quarter, now owning over 11 million shares valued at about $1.84 billion after a purchase of 264,962 shares. Meridian Management Co. and Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC also made similar increases in their holdings. Overall, institutional investors collectively own 27.26% of Alphabet's stock.

Analyst Ratings Overview

Recent assessments from research firms have yielded positive outlooks for Alphabet. Scotiabank raised its target price from $212 to $240, labeling the stock as a 'sector outperform.' The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed its 'buy' rating, while Oppenheimer also increased its target price and issued an 'outperform' rating. Analysts are optimistic, with one stating that Alphabet has received a mix of ratings, including fourteen 'buy' recommendations and three 'strong buy' ratings, resulting in an overall moderate buy rating and a consensus target price of approximately $209.13.

Current Performance of Alphabet

As of the latest trading session, Alphabet's stock opened at $169.00, demonstrating a 1.8% increase. The company's financial health reflects a strong structure, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. Alphabet has a substantial market cap of $2.06 trillion and its price-to-earnings ratio stands at 20.99. Over the last year, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $140.01 and a high of $208.70.

Recent Earnings and Dividends

In its latest earnings report, Alphabet surpassed analysts' expectations by reporting earnings of $2.15 per share, compared to the anticipated $2.12. The company also announced a quarterly dividend scheduled for payment on March 17, with shareholders set to receive $0.20 per share. This comes to an annualized dividend of $0.80, offering a yield of 0.47%.

Insider Transactions

In recent insider activity, CAO Amie Thuener O'toole sold 1,340 shares at an average price of $202.08, totaling around $270,787. After this transaction, she retains 17,848 shares valued at approximately $3.61 million. Similarly, insider John Kent Walker sold 16,820 shares valued at over $3.23 million, reducing his position by 27.66%. Overall, insiders have divested 95,682 shares worth nearly $17.9 million in the previous ninety days.

About Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc. is a multinational conglomerate that operates various services and products globally through its segments: Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets. Notable products include online advertising services, Android, Google Cloud services, YouTube, and many more.

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