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Exclusive News

Alphabet Cools After the Run: Buy Now or Wait for a Better Entry?

Reported by Ryan Hasson. Published: 1/23/2026.

Key Points

Alphabet's recent 3.5% pullback from its record high appears more like a routine dip and a higher low, rather than the start of a meaningful dip-buying opportunity.
Valuation remains mid-pack among the Magnificent Seven, suggesting limited near-term margin of safety unless shares retrace closer to $300.
Strong AI momentum, the Apple–Gemini partnership, and upcoming earnings could keep the stock elevated, forcing sidelined investors to wait longer for a cheaper entry.

Just a week ago, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) made headlines and history by crossing the $4 trillion market capitalization mark, becoming the world's second-most-valuable company behind NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA). A week later, the stock has cooled, pulling back just over 3.5% from its record highs and finding short-term support near $320.

With Alphabet continuing to outperform its Magnificent Seven peers and further solidifying its lead in the AI race, investors face a familiar question: is this pullback a buying opportunity, or should they wait for a deeper decline to achieve a better entry?

GOOGL Pulls Back Toward Support

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Alphabet has been in a steady, well-defined uptrend since reporting strong second-quarter results on July 23, 2025. That earnings report eased concerns about AI competition, reinforced the company's wide moat, and pushed the stock out of a multi-month base into a new leg higher. Since then, shares have rallied more than 50%, consistently making higher highs and higher lows.

From a technical perspective, the recent pullback from 52-week highs fits within that broader uptrend. This is not a full correction nor a classic "dip-buying" setup; it appears to be routine consolidation after an extended run. For long-term investors who prefer to buy on meaningful weakness or near fair value, Alphabet has not yet met those criteria.

Valuation supports that view. At current levels, GOOGL trades at a P/E of roughly 32.9, placing it in the middle of the Magnificent Seven cohort. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta (NASDAQ: META), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) trade at slightly lower multiples, and forward P/E comparisons show a similar picture. In short, neither the technical setup nor the valuation makes the recent dip especially compelling.

That said, a deeper retracement toward the $300 level — where the stock previously established a higher low on a longer timeframe — would be more interesting. If shares pull back, hold that level and stabilize, it could present an initial opportunity to build long-term exposure with a more attractive risk-reward.

Fundamentals Continue to Fire on All Cylinders

While the technicals argue for patience, Alphabet's fundamentals remain extremely strong. Most recently, the company benefited from a landmark announcement that helped push the stock toward the $4 trillion milestone: Apple confirmed it will use Google's Gemini models as the foundation for the next generation of Siri.

That partnership matters on multiple fronts. Gemini now sits at the core of Apple devices, Android smartphones and Google's Chrome ecosystem, giving Alphabet an unmatched distribution advantage in artificial intelligence. Few companies can claim that level of embedded reach across global consumer platforms.

Beyond AI, Alphabet is making progress across its broader portfolio — cloud, advertising and autonomous driving through Waymo. Sentiment remains constructive: the stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating, and on Jan. 21 Wedbush raised its price target to $360, implying roughly 12% upside from current levels.

More Patience Required for Investors Waiting on a Cheaper Entry

Momentum, sentiment and the broader market environment are currently working in Alphabet's favor. Markets rallied midweek after de-escalatory comments from President Trump regarding Greenland reduced near-term geopolitical anxiety. In that context, investors waiting for a deep pullback may find themselves waiting longer than expected.

The next major catalyst is the tech giant's fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings report, scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026. Analysts expect EPS in the range of $2.58 to $2.65 on revenue of roughly $104.7 billion, representing solid year-over-year growth.

Overall, Alphabet remains a best-in-class compounder with commanding AI positioning. But for sidelined investors seeking a cheaper, more attractive entry point, broader market weakness or a retracement closer to $300 may be required before the risk-reward shifts decisively in their favor.

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