Ah, earnings season-a time when Wall Street dons its finest robes to parade its quarterly triumphs and tribulations before the public gaze. Yet, dear reader, there exists a quieter but no less fascinating spectacle: the filing of Form 13Fs. These documents, obligatory confessions from institutional investors with assets exceeding $100 million, whisper secrets about which stocks have captured the fickle affections of money managers. Among these financial soothsayers stands Alphabet, the corporate titan whose tendrils extend far beyond Google’s search bar into realms as varied as cloud computing, autonomous vehicles, and now, the celestial ballet of satellite broadband.
As of mid-2025, Alphabet’s portfolio-worth over $2.1 billion spread across 36 companies-reveals a curious alchemy of ambition and divestment. One holding has ascended like Icarus to the sunlit zenith of its favor, while another has been cast off like a moth-eaten cloak. Let us then embark on this literary exploration of capital’s caprices, where moonshots are launched and erstwhile darlings discarded.
The Ascent of AST SpaceMobile: A Cosmic Wager
In the second quarter, Alphabet’s investment arm refrained from fresh acquisitions, yet fate-or perhaps sheer momentum-eleved AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to the status of its largest holding by market value. This purveyor of satellite-based cellular broadband services has soared nearly 2,000% in just fifteen months, transforming itself into a veritable phoenix among penny stocks. By Aug. 7, it constituted a staggering 19.6% of Alphabet’s invested assets.
Why, you ask, does Alphabet drape such faith upon this fledgling enterprise? The answer lies not merely in numbers but in the poetry of possibility. First, consider AST’s BlueBird satellites, celestial minstrels designed to harmonize with existing smartphones rather than demanding their obsolescence. No longer must consumers trade sleek devices for clunky relics; instead, they may simply bask in the glow of connectivity beamed from above. Four to six satellites per month shall ascend heavenward, aiming to weave a constellation of 155 stars by 2030.
Secondly, AST SpaceMobile courts partnerships with the finesse of a diplomat at a royal ball. By early 2024, it had entwined itself with over 40 mobile network operators, collectively serving more than 2 billion subscribers. Rather than challenging telecom titans, it dances alongside them, leveraging their reach as its own.
Lastly, the siren song of projected growth enchants even the most stoic investor. From a modest $62 million in sales this year, analysts foresee a crescendo of $1.93 billion by 2028, accompanied by earnings that gleam brighter than polished chrome. Yet beware, dear reader, for such luminous forecasts often blind us to lurking shadows. With a market cap nearing $17 billion, AST SpaceMobile leaves scant room for missteps. Should its satellites falter or costs spiral, the stock might plummet faster than Icarus himself.
CrowdStrike: A Fallen Star
Contrast this meteoric rise with the melancholy descent of CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD), once Alphabet’s cherished jewel. Between June 2023 and March 2024, CrowdStrike occupied the second-largest berth in Alphabet’s portfolio, peaking at 15% of invested assets. But alas, the tides turned, and by the end of March 2025, only 74,230 shares remained-a mere echo of its former glory. In the second quarter, Alphabet completed its exodus, severing ties entirely.
What drove this disaffection? Perhaps the ghost of July 2024 haunts Alphabet’s boardroom still. That fateful software update plunged countless Windows users into digital darkness, an event so cataclysmic it could rival ancient myths of eclipses foretelling doom. Though CrowdStrike swiftly mended its error, doubts lingered like storm clouds over customer loyalty and future growth.
Moreover, CrowdStrike’s valuation-a gilded chariot drawn by Pegasus itself-commands awe and skepticism alike. At approximately 90 times forward-year earnings and 19 times projected sales, it teeters precariously atop investor expectations. One stumble, and the chariot may crash.
Yet, let us not dismiss CrowdStrike too hastily. Its AI-driven Falcon platform remains a sentinel against cyber threats, revered by clients who willingly pay premium prices for its protection. Nearly half of its customers purchase at least six cloud modules, weaving themselves ever tighter into its subscription-based web. A decade hence, Alphabet’s decision to part ways may seem less sage and more regrettable.
Thus concludes our tale of two holdings, each orbiting different spheres of fortune’s firmament. May your own investments find firmer ground than shifting sands 🌟.
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2025-08-11 10:34