Understanding Google's Massive Cash Reserves

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Google's massive cash reserves are a fascinating topic. The company has a staggering $121 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which is more than the GDP of many countries.

This enormous cash hoard allows Google to invest in new projects, acquire other companies, and weather financial storms. Google's cash reserves are a result of its incredible profitability, with the company generating over $40 billion in operating income in 2020 alone.

Google's cash reserves are also a testament to its dominant position in the tech industry. The company's cash and cash equivalents have been steadily increasing over the years, reaching a record high in 2020.

Google's Cash Reserves

Google's parent company Alphabet has a massive cash reserve of over $109 billion, which is more than $100 billion. This cash hoard is a significant amount that could be used to reward patient investors with more cash.

Alphabet's cash reserve is substantial enough that it could pay a dividend and still have plenty of money left over to invest in research and development, make acquisitions, and buy back its own stock. This is a common practice among tech companies, as seen with Apple and Microsoft.

The company has repeatedly told investors that they should not expect a dividend anytime soon, but it's worth noting that paying a dividend has been beneficial for Apple's stock, which has more than doubled since it started paying a dividend in 2012.

Google Has $100B in Cash

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Google has $100B in cash. Google's owner Alphabet ended last year with more than $109 billion in cash.

That's a massive amount of money, and it's not being put to use. Alphabet didn't mention paying a dividend in its latest results.

Alphabet is still growing rapidly, with revenues rising 22% in the fourth quarter. Analysts expect earnings growth of about 13% for 2019 and a sales increase of 20%.

But despite this growth, Alphabet's stock has lagged behind other big tech companies. Shares of Alphabet are flat during the past 12 months.

Companies like Apple and Microsoft, which do pay a dividend, have seen their stocks rise 5% and 13% respectively over the past year.

How Much?

Big Tech companies, including Google, have a significant amount of cash reserves. Slightly under $1.2trn is the estimated total cash and cash equivalents balance if they hadn't returned so much to investors in recent years.

This number is substantial and represents the amount of cash these companies have had to play with in recent years. Of course, some of these firms have been buying back stock in the years before, which could make the number even bigger.

The big five tech firms won't be running out of cash any time soon.

Company Comparisons

Credit: youtube.com, Why Apple, Google and other big companies have huge cash reserves...

Companies like Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) and Apple Inc. (AAPL) have billions in cash reserves.

Alphabet Inc. now holds $117 billion in cash, surpassing Apple Inc. which has $102 billion in liquid reserves, net of debt.

Corporate America held $2 trillion in cash as of March 2022, a 7% decrease from the record $2.15 trillion at the end of 2020.

Alphabet Overtakes Apple in Value

Alphabet now holds $117 billion in cash, surpassing Apple's $102 billion in liquid reserves.

This significant shift in cash reserves has sparked concerns about Alphabet's dominance in the market and its potential impact on shareholders and regulators.

The EU has already imposed hefty fines on Google, totaling €8.2 billion, highlighting the scrutiny Alphabet faces in maintaining its market position.

As Alphabet's cash reserves continue to grow, it's likely to face increased pressure from shareholders to distribute the wealth through share buybacks or dividends.

Companies

Companies like Alphabet Inc., Apple Inc., and Microsoft Corp. hold billions in cash reserves. This allows them to meet unexpected costs and finance potential investments.

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Firms typically aim to have three to six months of operating expenses tied up in cash or highly liquid assets. This can help them navigate financial downturns.

Corporate America held $2 trillion in cash as of March 2022, a 7% decrease from the record $2.15 trillion at the end of 2020.

The Federal Reserve sometimes lowers the reserve requirement to encourage banks to lend more, giving the economy a boost.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

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