Palantir Stock vs. Alphabet Stock: Wall Street Says Buy One, Sell the Other

Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are set to be the fastest-growing technology in the coming years, and two prominent players in this space are Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL). However, Wall Street analysts have differing opinions on these two stocks, with one being a buy and the other a sell. Let's delve into the financial performance, business models, and risks of both companies to understand why analysts have contrasting views.

Palantir, a leader in AI and machine learning platforms, has seen impressive growth in recent quarters. Its revenue grew 27% year-over-year and 7% quarter-over-quarter to $678 million in Q2 2024, driven by a 55% increase in U.S. commercial revenue. The company's customer count grew 41% year-over-year, and its adjusted income from operations increased by 80% to $0.09 per diluted share. Palantir's strong financial performance and growth prospects have analysts optimistic, with a median 12-month price target of $28, implying 37% downside from its current share price.

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has also seen robust growth in its AI initiatives. In Q2 2024, Alphabet's revenue grew 14% year-over-year to $84.7 billion, with strong sales growth in cloud services and modest growth in advertising. The company's GAAP earnings per share increased by 31% to $1.89. Alphabet's AI platform, Vertex AI, has seen significant adoption, with over 2 million developers using the service. Analysts have a median 12-month price target of $205 for Alphabet stock, indicating 24% upside from its current share price.


Despite their growth prospects, both companies face unique challenges. Palantir's high valuation and reliance on government contracts pose risks to its long-term growth. Additionally, the company's history of regulatory issues and controversies may impact investor sentiment. Alphabet, on the other hand, faces regulatory risks related to its dominant market position in search and advertising. The company is currently under investigation by the Justice Department for alleged anti-competitive practices.


In conclusion, while both Palantir and Alphabet have compelling growth stories in the AI platform space, analysts have differing opinions on their stock prospects. Palantir's impressive financial performance and growth potential have analysts bullish, while Alphabet's strong fundamentals and AI initiatives have analysts optimistic. However, both companies face unique challenges that investors should consider when making investment decisions. As always, it is essential to conduct thorough research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.