Breaking: Alphabet ($GOOG) Shares Drop 7% in PremarketAlphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:GOOG ) witnessed a significant 7% drop in premarket trading on Wednesday, driven by investor concerns over slowing cloud growth and the tech giant’s hefty $75 billion investment into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. This figure far exceeded Wall Street’s projected $58 billion, raising doubts about the necessity and efficiency of such high spending.
AI Investment and Competitive Pressure
Alphabet has been aggressively investing in AI research and its integration across Google Search, Cloud services, and other platforms. However, the emergence of China’s low-cost DeepSeek AI model—which reportedly rivals leading U.S. AI models—has triggered discussions about whether Big Tech companies need to allocate billions toward AI advancements.
Cloud Growth Concerns
Alphabet's cloud division reported a 30% revenue increase to $11.96 billion in Q4, but this marked a slowdown compared to the 35% growth in Q3. In contrast, Microsoft Azure saw a 31% increase, while Amazon Web Services (AMZN) is projected to post only a 19% rise. Despite the slowdown, analysts believe the surging demand for AI-powered cloud computing will keep the long-term outlook positive for Alphabet’s cloud business.
Advertising Challenges
Beyond AI and cloud investments, Alphabet is grappling with fierce competition in the digital advertising space. With marketers increasingly shifting to social media-driven ad platforms like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, and ByteDance’s TikTok, Google’s traditional ad model faces mounting pressure.
Technical Analysis
At the time of writing, NASDAQ:GOOG shares are down 6.75%, signaling a potential bearish continuation pattern. The stock appears poised to form a gap-down pattern, a bearish technical indicator that may lead to further downside pressure.
- Support Levels:* The first minor support lies at $197, aligning with the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement level. A breakdown below this level could result in gap-filling towards $185-$190.
- Major Structural Support: The BOS (Break of Structure) level is set at $155. A dip to this level could trigger further bearish sentiment and result in deeper losses.
- Moving Averages: Despite the premarket decline, NASDAQ:GOOG remains above key moving averages, suggesting that the broader trend remains bullish unless further downside momentum builds.
- RSI Positioning: Prior to this drop, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) was at 64, indicating that the stock was not overbought. This means the decline is not necessarily a reaction to overvaluation but rather a response to external market forces and investor sentiment.
Market Sentiment and Analyst Outlook
While some brokerage firms have cut their price targets on Alphabet, the median price target now stands at $220—still above its current premarket trading price of $191.20. Alphabet’s stock had gained 9% in 2024 before this drop, outperforming Amazon’s 10.3% gain and Microsoft’s -2.2% decline.
Conclusion
Despite the current dip, Alphabet’s long-term prospects in AI and cloud computing remain strong. The significant AI investment could prove to be a long-term advantage if it strengthens Alphabet’s competitive positioning. However, traders should closely monitor key support levels ($197 and $155) and whether the stock can hold above key moving averages.
For long-term investors, the recent drop could present a buying opportunity, but in the short term, further downside volatility is possible as market sentiment adjusts to Alphabet’s spending strategy. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether NASDAQ:GOOG can recover swiftly or continue its downward trajectory.
Gappers
Crocs, Inc Appoints Susan Healy as EVP & Chief Financial OfficerCrocs, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CROX ) has appointed Susan Healy as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the company, effective June 3. Healy succeeds Anne Mehlman, who was recently appointed President of the Crocs Brand. Mehlman will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer until Healy's start date. She will join the executive leadership team and report directly to Andrew Rees, CEO.
Healy will have responsibility over financial planning and analysis, accounting, investor relations, tax, internal audit, and corporate development. She joins Crocs from IAA, Inc., a global marketplace for automotive buyers and sellers, where she served as Chief Financial Officer and led the company through its $7 billion merger with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated. She has over three decades of financial and operational leadership experience. Prior to 2021, she served as Senior Vice President of Finance for Ulta Beauty. Earlier in her career, she held various senior financial leadership roles in addition to a 12-year tenure at Goldman Sachs.
Crocs, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CROX ) reported its fiscal first quarter financial results on May 7, 2024, before the market opened. The company reported an exceptional first quarter, driven by mid-teens growth of the Crocs Brand, driven by robust consumer demand both in North America and in international markets. Andrew Rees, CEO, stated that Crocs delivered an exceptional first quarter, driven by record revenue, industry-leading gross margins, and the power of its diversified business.
In the first quarter of 2024, Crocs Brand ( NASDAQ:CROX ) revenues increased 14.6% to $744 million, or 15.6% on a constant currency basis. Direct-to-consumer revenues grew 11.8% to $282 million, or 19.0% on a constant currency basis. Wholesale revenues increased 12.5% to $462 million, or 13.8% on a constant currency basis.
North America revenues increased 9.0% to $383 million, or 9.0% on a constant currency basis. International revenues increased 21.3% to $361 million, or 23.6% on a constant currency basis. HEYDUDE Brand revenues decreased 17.2% to $195 million.
The company's balance sheet and cash flow for March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023 showed cash and cash equivalents at $159 million, inventories at $392 million, total borrowings at $1,727 million, and capital expenditures at $16 million.
Financial Outlook for the second quarter of 2024 is expected to be up 1% to 3% compared to the same period last year. Crocs Brand revenues are expected to grow 7% to 9% compared to the same period last year. The HEYDUDE Brand is expected to contract (19%) to (17%) compared to the same period last year.
In the full year of 2024, Crocs ( NASDAQ:CROX ) expects revenue growth of 3% to 5% compared to 2023, with revenues for the Crocs Brand growing approximately 7% to 9% and revenues for the HEYDUDE Brand contracting (10%) to (8%). Adjusted operating margins are expected to be around 25%. Non-GAAP adjustments of approximately $28 million related to the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system for HEYDUDE and costs to transition to the new distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As of March 31, 2024, Crocs ( NASDAQ:CROX ) had $875 million remaining on its current share repurchase authorization.
Technical Outlook
Crocs ( NASDAQ:CROX ) stock is up 1.89% in Tuesday's Pre-market trading with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 50.17. After the earnings beat, and the appointment of Susan Healy as the EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Crocs ( NASDAQ:CROX ) stock is poised for an upside gap due to the fundamentals.
Gappers are formed in a chart when there is no trading activity but the stock rises in value causing an upside or downside gap as a result of a major event such as an earnings beat and quarterly reports, etc.
LYFT rises on news of the MSP dispute potential resolution LONGLYFT was a recent idea upload. The news regarding MSP and the dispute resolution has helped
it rise off the ascending support trendline of the rising wedge pattern. The pattern may predict
decreasing volatility towards price consolidation and then a break out from the wedge.
In the meanwhile, I have added to my position since price is above the support trendline.
The PVT indicator shows a flip out on the pullback and I see this as a good add long entry. On a
low 1minute time frame. price gapped up with an engulfing candle with corresponding volume
at the opening bell today.
Importantly, a high volume spike also occurred in the after-market hours.
My recent previous idea long on LYFT is linked here.
The call option for $ 21.00 for April 19- 8DTE popped 140% today. I picked up a decent number of calls and will close them incrementally as they profit over the next week.
All Aboard Gap City, Headed for the Republic of BearistanThis is the general clashing of the trends I'm seeing; which is causing extreme volatility. The megaphone, horn effect on the prices is an indication that the bear trend is stronger. It's going to pull us into the new trend's channel.
Breakout IDEA -explosive biotech stockANAB had good nes today. we are consolidating the opening range. if we can breakout here this 59-60 area to take out the opening range . This is just an opening range type of play. not an investment you dont hold for more then 5minutes to 1 hour. and use tight stops under the range. i like to use vwap areas as stops or right under the price range whatever is tighter/closer