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Featured Story from MarketBeat.com Alphabet Tops $4 Trillion Valuation as AI Momentum Runs HotSubmitted by Ryan Hasson. Date Posted: 1/16/2026. 
At a Glance - Alphabet (GOOGL) just topped a $4 trillion valuation for the first time in its history, becoming the world's second most valuable company.
- The Apple–Gemini partnership was the primary catalyst, validating Google’s AI leadership and expanding Gemini’s distribution across major platforms.
- Beyond AI, Alphabet’s diversification remains a strength, with Wing’s recent nationwide Walmart drone-delivery expansion reinforcing long-term growth optionality.
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) recently reached a major milestone: it surpassed a $4 trillion market capitalization for the first time after shares closed above $335 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, cementing its position as the second-most valuable company in the world behind NVIDIA. For long-term investors, the milestone is both symbolic and deserved, coming after a choppy and frustrating first half of 2025 when Alphabet lagged peers amid mounting AI competition, advertising headwinds, and regulatory overhangs. Notably, many of the same fears that drove that underperformance are now helping fuel the stock's resurgence. As MarketBeat highlighted throughout last year, the market underestimated Alphabet's ability to defend its core businesses while accelerating AI monetization. In the short term, which specific announcements catalyzed the move toward a $4 trillion market capitalization? Let's take a look. Apple Taps Google’s AI for the Next Generation of Siri The former CEO of Google calls it the most important thing to happen in 500, maybe 1,000 years of human society. A former U.S. Treasury Secretary says when your great-grandchildren write the history of this period, the political headlines will be the second or third story. The first story is something none of us have seen before. The dot-com collapse, global financial crisis, and COVID-19 pandemic don't compare to what's coming next. We may be entering a period of dramatic, almost unimaginable change. See the full warning and how to prepare now. The most important catalyst behind Alphabet's latest surge was a landmark partnership with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). In a significant announcement, Apple confirmed it will use Google's Gemini as the foundation for the AI models powering the next generation of Siri. Samsung is also expected to double the number of devices running Gemini-powered AI this year, further extending Google's reach across consumer hardware ecosystems. This development matters on multiple levels. Practically, Gemini will sit at the center of Apple devices, Android smartphones, and Google's own Chrome ecosystem — giving Alphabet an unmatched distribution advantage in AI. Equally important, the deal marks a notable shift in sentiment. Not long ago, investors worried Apple might move away from Google entirely, potentially threatening default search placement on Apple devices and Google's long-term relevance. Instead, Apple's decision effectively endorses Google's AI stack as best-in-class. The agreement is structured as a licensing deal, with analysts estimating Apple will pay Alphabet roughly $1 billion annually for access to Gemini. For Apple, the decision is logical: building and maintaining search-grade, large-scale AI infrastructure would require tens of billions in ongoing investment, so licensing Google's capabilities lets Apple stay competitive without that cost burden. For Alphabet, it's a high-margin validation of its AI leadership at a critical moment. Beyond AI, Alphabet’s Innovation Engine Keeps Turning While AI dominates headlines, Alphabet's strength also comes from its diversification. The company continues to innovate across multiple industries, especially through its "Other Bets" segment. Waymo remains the most recognized name, steadily expanding autonomous ride-hailing operations and inching closer to commercial scalability. Another standout is Wing, Alphabet's drone delivery business. Originally incubated within Google X, Wing has emerged as a serious contender in last-mile logistics. This week, Wing announced a major expansion with Walmart, marking the next phase of what is already the world's most extensive drone delivery program. Under the new agreement, Wing and Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) plan to scale ultra-fast drone delivery to an additional 150 Walmart stores over the next year, bringing service to more than 40 million Americans. By 2027, the companies aim to establish more than 270 drone delivery locations spanning from Los Angeles to Miami. New service areas will include major metropolitan hubs such as Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami, building on previously announced markets like Houston, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte. Operations in Houston are set to begin on Jan. 15. As Walmart executive Greg Cathey put it, strong customer adoption confirms that drone delivery represents "the future of convenience." For Alphabet, Wing is still in the early stages, but it underscores the company's ability to incubate technologies that could redefine entire industries over time. What the $4 Trillion Milestone Means for Investors Crossing $4 trillion is more than a psychological win; it signals considerable confidence in Alphabet's ability to defend its moat, monetize AI at scale, and unlock value across its broader ecosystem. While near-term consolidation would not be surprising after such a sharp move, the breakout above $325 marks an important technical shift. As long as that level holds, the trend remains intact.
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