Investing

Government Push to Break Up Alphabet: What It Means for Investors

Austin Smith

Published: October 12, 2024 7:30 am

Last Updated: October 12, 2024 11:43 am

Key Points:

• Alphabet Breakup: The U.S. government may force Alphabet to split, with advertising and Android as key assets.
• Android’s Potential: Android could be more valuable if monetized separately.
• Shareholder Gains: A breakup might benefit Alphabet shareholders, similar to AT&T’s split in the 1980s.
• Also: The smart money is already looking at The Next Nvidia as the best investment today.

Government’s Interest in Breaking Up Big Tech

• The U.S. government has expressed interest in breaking up major tech companies like Alphabet and Amazon, primarily targeting their dominant market positions.
• Alphabet’s primary revenue stream is its advertising business, which includes Google Ads, YouTube, and ad services for other websites.

The Value of Alphabet’s Android Operating System

• Android, while not monetized to its full potential, is an immensely valuable asset within Alphabet.
• If Alphabet were to be broken up, the Android operating system would likely be a key component, second only to the advertising business in terms of value.

Potential Challenges to Alphabet’s Dominance

• The possibility of competitors challenging Alphabet’s products like Google Chrome and Gmail could present significant risks, especially if they offer less censorship and better functionality.
• Elon Musk has hinted at developing alternatives to Google’s services, which could disrupt Alphabet’s market position.

Historical Precedents: AT&T Breakup

• A breakup might not be all bad for investors. The AT&T breakup in the 1980s resulted in significant gains for shareholders as the combined value of the split entities increased over time.
• Investors in Alphabet might see similar benefits if the company is forced to split, particularly if they hold onto shares of the newly created entities.

Final Thoughts

• Investors should consider the potential upside of a breakup, particularly the value of key assets like Android.
• Monitoring developments and potential challenges to Alphabet’s core businesses is crucial as the landscape continues to evolve.