What To Expect From Google Stock In 2026 Forbes

Bonisiwe Shabane
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what to expect from google stock in 2026 forbes

After dealing with some headwinds earlier this year, stemming from intensifying artificial intelligence (AI) competition and regulatory hurdles, Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL) is once again flying high in 2025. A major reason for this renewed excitement is the debut of Gemini 3, its most powerful large language model (LLM) to date, which arrived last month and is already being viewed as a serious... At the same time, demand for Google’s custom-built AI chips is heating up, with several major industry players lining up for access. Together, these rapid-fire AI developments are helping Google remind the world that when it comes to innovation, it’s still one of the biggest forces in tech and definitely not a company to underestimate. And Wall Street seems to agree. In fact, Google’s stock just earned a bullish thumbs-up from Pivotal Research, which believes shares could climb all the way to $400 in the coming months, pointing to AI momentum and steady growth across...

So, with investor excitement building and Google rolling out breakthroughs at record speed, could this tech giant soar to that new Street-high target in 2026? Founded in 1998, Google barely needs an introduction. After all, most of us interact with it multiple times a day without even thinking about it. From Google Search and YouTube to Maps, Gmail, Android, and the ever-useful cloud services, Google has become the digital backbone of modern life. And now, the California-based tech giant is pouring that same ambition into AI. Its newly launched Gemini 3 is considered the company's most advanced LLM yet, with some voices even calling it the strongest AI model out there.

At the same time, Google Cloud is becoming a busy hub for AI development, and demand for its in-house AI chips is starting to challenge chip giant Nvidia’s (NVDA) long-standing grip on the GPU... In fact, while EV king Tesla (TSLA) has been betting on AI-powered robotaxis for years, Google is actually ahead even in this race, with its Waymo division already operating autonomous ride-hailing services across multiple... Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is reshaping the core architecture of artificial intelligence. Trading at $319.08 per share, with a market capitalization of $3.79 trillion, Alphabet is closing the valuation gap with NVIDIA and redefining what vertical AI integration means. The company’s latest breakthrough in Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and the success of its Gemini 3 model have created a structural advantage that extends across hardware, software, and distribution.

With revenue hitting $102.35 billion in Q3 2025, up 15.95% year-over-year, and net income surging 32.99% to $34.98 billion, Alphabet is proving that end-to-end control of AI is both scalable and profitable. Unlike other tech giants that rely on third-party GPUs, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) owns every critical layer of the AI stack: the model (Gemini 3), the proprietary hardware (TPUs), and the global ecosystem through Search, Android,... This combination eliminates dependency on Nvidia’s high-margin GPUs, known for their “GPU tax,” which has dominated AI training costs for years. Alphabet’s seventh-generation TPU—built in partnership with Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO)—has outperformed expectations in both speed and efficiency, achieving up to 4x higher performance per dollar than comparable inference chips. This cost advantage extends beyond internal savings. Google’s infrastructure now trains and deploys Gemini entirely on TPUs, confirming that top-tier AI models no longer require Nvidia’s CUDA-based architecture.

With more than 70% of Google Cloud clients already using AI-driven services, the TPU infrastructure strengthens Google Cloud’s profitability while reducing reliance on external suppliers. A pivotal shift occurred when Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) entered discussions to purchase billions of dollars’ worth of TPUs for integration across its global data centers starting in 2027. Meta, one of Nvidia’s largest customers with an estimated $72 billion AI infrastructure budget in 2025, is now exploring a long-term strategic partnership with Alphabet. If finalized, Google Cloud could capture up to 10% of Nvidia’s annual revenue, translating into multi-billion-dollar recurring revenue streams. Meanwhile, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) confirmed the use of 2,048 TPUv5p for on-device AI training and 8,192 TPUv4 for server-side models.

This move demonstrates a clear trend among hyperscalers: diversify compute resources, lower cost dependence on GPUs, and increase performance through domain-specific hardware. Alphabet stands at the center of this paradigm shift. Analysts are saying that Alphabet could hit $426 by 2030. Bullish on GOOG? Invest in Alphabet on SoFi with no commissions. If it’s your first time signing up for SoFi, you’ll receive up to $1,000 in stock when you first fund your account.

Plus, get a 1% bonus if you transfer your investments and keep them there until December 31, 2025. Alphabet (GOOG) shares have performed well in the last year as the company maintains its overwhelming search engine dominance and continues to find ways to innovate. But some analysts see a bear on the horizon amid growing competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) market and increased regulatory risks. Below, we’ll draw on recent trends, expert analysis, and algorithmic projections to survey Alphabet stock price predictions for 2025, 2026, and 2030. Alphabet’s stock is trading around $314 as of December 2025 but has dipped recently, mostly due to concerns over increased market competition with Google Search, but its performance statistics remain strong and run contrary... It holds almost 90% of the global search engine market, performs about 9.5 million Google searches per minute, and generated more than $74.18 billion in ad revenue in Q3 2025, a double-digit increase year-over-year.

Alphabet has continued to expand beyond its already diversified interests, investing in areas such as autonomous driving through its subsidiary Waymo, AI infrastructure, and cloud and quantum computing, while still expanding and improving on... All these factors favor a bullish outlook. The stock market enters the new year with enough momentum to make it a fourth-straight winning season, but is it too weary to make it happen? (© Gary Neill) With a third straight year of double-digit gains almost assured for 2025, the stock market enters the new year with enough momentum to make it a fourth-straight winning season. The favorable stock market forecast for 2026 rests on many supports: rising corporate profits, tax stimulus, a dovish Federal Reserve, investments in artificial intelligence and even some history.

Yes, caveats remain,… Get instant access to exclusive stock lists, expert market analysis and powerful tools with 2 months of IBD Digital for only $20! Get market updates, educational videos, webinars, and stock analysis. Learn how you can make more money with IBD's investing tools, top-performing stock lists, and educational content. Tech stocks continue to grab investors’ attention—but not all tech companies offer the same long-term value. One name that always sparks curiosity?

Google. Whether you’ve held shares for years or are just building your portfolio, it's hard to ignore the discussion around Google investing as we head toward 2026. But here’s the challenge: with rising interest rates, rapid AI advances, and constant tech competition, many investors are wondering whether putting money into Google stock now—or even in the next two years—still makes sense. Has the growth already been priced in? Or is there more upside ahead for one of the largest companies in the world? This blog will help you answer those questions.

We’ll take a closer look at what might influence Google’s stock performance leading up to 2026. You’ll also learn how Alphabet’s business model shapes the long-term value of GOOGL stock, why many analysts remain bullish, and when you might consider buying before prices move further. If you're curious about adding stock in Google to your portfolio but aren't sure about the timing or risks, you’re in the right place. Whether you're thinking about short-term gains or long-term growth, understanding the context of Google investing can help you make better decisions with your money. Google stock doesn’t move in isolation. Broader economic conditions—like inflation, interest rates, and GDP growth—will continue to affect investor sentiment through 2026.

If central banks keep rates high to manage inflation, we could see slower capital inflows into tech stocks.

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