Alphabet Inc. is approaching a critical juncture, with several significant developments converging this week. The parent company of Google is set to report its quarterly earnings, while its autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Waymo, navigates a new regulatory investigation. Concurrently, operational expansion and reported progress in the competitive AI chip market add further layers to a complex narrative for investors.
Earnings Call Set for February 4th
The company has scheduled the release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, after U.S. markets close. As announced in early January, the corresponding earnings conference call will begin at 1:30 PM Pacific Time. Investor sentiment appears buoyant ahead of the report, with Alphabet’s stock recently reaching a fresh 52-week high, suggesting market participants are optimistic about the upcoming figures.
Waymo: Regulatory Probe Amidst Service Growth
Waymo finds itself under heightened scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary evaluation on January 29 following an incident in Santa Monica on January 23. In that event, a self-driving Waymo vehicle made contact with a child near an elementary school. Initial reports indicate the child sustained minor injuries. Waymo stated its vehicle detected the individual and initiated heavy braking, reducing its speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph prior to impact.
This probe follows a December recall of more than 3,000 Waymo vehicles, initiated after its robotaxis were observed passing stopped school buses in Austin. The safety regulator’s current focus includes assessing the system’s performance in school zones during typical drop-off and pick-up hours.
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Despite the regulatory attention, Waymo continues to expand its commercial footprint. Also on January 29, the company revealed plans to begin offering trips to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting with a select user group before broader access in the coming months. Initial pick-ups and drop-offs will be at the rental car center, with terminal access planned for a later phase. SFO becomes the third major airport integrated into Waymo’s service network.
AI Infrastructure: Google’s Reported Chip Advances
A separate but impactful development stems from the artificial intelligence hardware sector. According to industry reports, Google is making tangible strides in challenging Nvidia’s dominance in the AI chip market. The company has reportedly secured agreements, including one with AI firm Anthropic, to supply data center chips for facilities in locations such as New York and Texas. In this high-value segment, even modest market share gains can translate to billions in revenue.
Key Developments to Watch:
* Earnings Release: February 4, 2026 (after market close)
* Waymo Regulation: NHTSA investigation launched following a January 23 incident near a school
* Waymo Expansion: SFO service begins rolling out to selected users
* AI Hardware: Google reportedly gains ground in the competitive AI chip arena against Nvidia
The February 4 earnings report will be a key test of whether Alphabet’s financial performance can justify its elevated stock valuation. Furthermore, it will offer insight into how factors like regulatory pressures on Waymo and the evolving AI infrastructure story are shaping the company’s outlook and investor perception.
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