Alphabet stock soars 12% to record high on Q1 earnings beat, first-ever dividend

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) saw its shares pop more than 12% in after-hours trading Thursday after the Google owner reported better-than-expected top and bottom lines for the fiscal Q1 2024. 

Alphabet's shares hit an indicated record high of more than $174.

The tech behemoth posted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.89, topping the consensus estimates of $1.51. Revenue was reported at $80.54 billion, also above the projected $78.71 billion.

Operating income for the quarter increased by 46% year-over-year to $25.5 billion, while net income soared to $58 billion, or $1.89 per diluted share.

"We expect the market to have a positive reaction to Alphabet’s Q1'24 earnings report," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a client note.

Alphabet also announced its first-ever dividend of 20 cents per share, marking a significant return of capital at a time when the company is investing heavily in data centers to enhance its capabilities in generative AI.

Moreover, the Board authorized a new $70bn share repurchase program.

"In tandem, we view both actions as demonstrating Alphabet’s continued commitment to capital returns (alongside key long-term investments, especially in AI initiatives)," Goldman added.

By Vahid Karaahmetovic