Tag: Alphabet

Business

Apple Hits $4 Trillion Market Value as Strong iPhone Sales Offset AI Concerns

Tanisha Cardozo

Apple has officially surpassed a $4 trillion market value, becoming the third Big Tech company in history to achieve this milestone, after Nvidia and Microsoft. The milestone comes amid robust demand for its iPhone 17 lineup and the iPhone Air, which have helped lift shares about 13% since their launch on September 9, marking Apple’s first positive performance for the year.

The iPhone remains a critical revenue driver, accounting for more than half of Apple’s profit. Analysts say the iPhone Air’s slim design positions Apple to compete effectively against rivals like Samsung Electronics, while early sales of the iPhone 17 have outperformed its predecessor by 14% in key markets such as the U.S. and China, according to research firm Counterpoint. Brokerage Evercore ISI expects the strong demand to exceed market expectations for the quarter ending September, with upbeat forecasts anticipated for the December quarter.

Apple shares had faced headwinds earlier in the year due to stiff competition in China and uncertainties related to high U.S. tariffs affecting its major manufacturing hubs in Asia. While Apple has taken a cautious approach to artificial intelligence, including delayed upgrades to Siri and a slower rollout of the Apple Intelligence suite, reports indicate ongoing collaborations with Alphabet’s Gemini AI, Anthropic, and OpenAI.

Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer of Northlight Asset Management, noted, “The lack of a well-understood AI strategy is one of the overhangs for the stock. If Apple can incorporate AI in a way that excites consumers, it would transform the company.”

Apple reported its strongest quarterly results in years during April-June, achieving double-digit growth across key segments and surpassing analyst expectations. Its shares currently trade at 33.2 times projected earnings for the next 12 months, compared to 27.42 for the Nasdaq 100, reflecting the company’s strong valuation. Apple is expected to announce its Q4 results on October 30, which could further impact investor sentiment.

Despite underperforming the Nasdaq 100 this year, Apple’s milestone highlights the enduring appeal of its ecosystem, driven largely by iPhone sales and global brand loyalty.

Business

Google to Build Asia’s Largest AI Data Center in Andhra Pradesh with $6 Billion Investment

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative move for India’s digital infrastructure, Google is reportedly investing $6 billion to establish its largest AI data center outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project includes the development of a 1-gigawatt data facility and the supporting energy and digital ecosystem to power its operations. Out of the total investment, $2 billion is expected to be directed specifically toward renewable energy capacity, reinforcing Google’s global sustainability commitments.

This landmark facility is anticipated to become the largest data center in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment size. It is also Google’s first-of-its-kind data center investment in India, making it a strategic cornerstone in the company’s regional expansion across Asia, where it is also ramping up operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

While Google and the Andhra Pradesh government have not officially confirmed the development, sources cited by Reuters suggest the announcement is likely to be made in October. If finalized, the data center will mark a major leap forward in India’s role in global cloud and AI infrastructure.

This project aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive digital vision. According to the state’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, the government has already secured agreements for data centers totaling 1.6 gigawatts, and plans are in place to scale that figure up to 6 gigawatts over the next five years. He emphasized that the initial 1.6 GW of data centers are expected to go live within the next 24 months, ushering in a new era of tech-driven economic growth for the state.

In addition to the data center buildout, Andhra Pradesh is also working to establish three international cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. These critical infrastructures are essential for ensuring high-speed, reliable internet connections to global networks. Lokesh highlighted that the planned cable capacity would be twice the scale of what Mumbai currently handles, positioning Visakhapatnam as a future tech and connectivity hub for India.

Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, had previously announced in April 2025 its plan to invest up to $75 billion this year into building global data center capacity, underlining the critical role these infrastructures play in AI development, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.

As India strengthens its position on the global tech map, this Visakhapatnam project stands as a milestone moment—not just for Andhra Pradesh but for the country’s broader ambitions to lead in AI, sustainability, and next-generation infrastructure.