Alphabet Inc shares fell after second-quarter results resurfaced a worrying trend: The company’s costs are rising as it spends more to expand Google’s newer, fastest-growing advertising businesses.
The company reported sales, minus partner payouts, were US$20.92bil (RM89.52bil), in line with analysts’ consensus forecasts, but below some more bullish expectations. Estimates ranged from US$20.55bil (RM87.94bil) to US$21.61bil (RM92.47bil), according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Profit was also hammered by a record antitrust fine from the European Union.