Hello,
Google (and its parent company, Alphabet) is in somewhat of a hot seat in 2025, without referring to the fact that its share price has dropped more than 11% since the turn of the year. Google CEO Sundar Pichai was one of the many notable faces seen wearing a smile at US President Trump’s inauguration in January, soon after his company had reportedly donated $1 million to the ceremony’s fund. His affable exterior may have disguised a degree of anxiety however, as judgement day looms in not one, but two antitrust cases against the tech giant.
The antitrust probe was in fact first launched by Trump’s office in 2019 and was continued under a Biden administration that was critical of corporate monopolies. It was during this time that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) first claimed that Google is engaged in “anticompetitive behaviour”, a view that it recently doubled down on, stating the company “robbed consumers and businesses of a fundamental promise owed to the public – their right to choose competing services”. The DOJ is seeking to force Google into selling Chrome. The ubiquitous web browser reportedly holds more than a 65% market share and is a key component of Google’s business model.
While the outcome of the case is still uncertain, a decision is expected from the US District Court in August 2025. Given the unprecedented pace in US policymaking currently, it remains to be seen what the potential impact a ruling would have on investors, given Alphabet’s status as the world’s 5th largest company.
As always, if you wish to discuss anything in further detail, please do get in touch.
