Investing.com — Bank of America analysts weighed in on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposed remedies against Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s (Google) alleged monopoly in search services, highlighting “some positives to consider” despite the potential threat of a breakup.
Google shares dropped 1.6% following the news, while the S&P 500 rose 0.7%.
The DOJ outlined an extensive list of potential measures aimed at addressing Google’s dominance in search, including terminating exclusive agreements with partners like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung (KS:005930), limiting data tracking, forced data sharing, and even the possibility of divesting key assets like Chrome and Android.
In a note Thursday, BofA analysts said the aggressive list was expected based on earlier reports but also cautioned that this is just the initial step in a lengthy legal process.
Alphabet has expressed concerns about the DOJ’s broad demands, pointing out that the proposal comes at a time when competition in search is growing, especially with AI transforming the landscape.
BofA highlighted that a final judgment isn’t expected until the first half of 2025, with appeals potentially stretching the case into late 2026.
Despite the looming legal battle, BofA sees several positives. First, they believe Google is still well-positioned in the search market, noting that users would likely choose Google even without exclusive agreements.
“Drawing a parallel to the Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) case, an initial breakup was recommended, but it was ultimately overturned and led to a settlement. We anticipate more twists and turns in the case ahead,” said the bank.
Additionally, they said Alphabet’s counter proposals due in December could offer a more favorable outcome.
The bank also highlighted that Alphabet trades at a discount to its breakup value, and with minimal layoffs compared to peers, they see room for EPS growth under the new CFO.
Overall, while challenges remain, BofA maintains a Buy rating on Alphabet with a price target of $206.
