Shares of Google parent Alphabet soared to all-time highs Monday evening, after the company posted a surge in ad revenue that partially made up for a record-breaking $5 billion fine from the EU.
MarketWatch tech reporter Max Cherney said that even recent backlash over ad placement on the site won't ultimately deter customers.
"Google has to make sure their advertising clients are happy with the placement of their ads," he told Cheddar after the results. "Even though Google has struggled with the issue, and YouTube specifically...at the end of the day Google offers very valuable advertising real estate and most, if not all, of their customers end up going back."
Advertising revenue for the quarter rose nearly 25 percent to $28.1 billion in the second quarter. That increase came despite a [CNN report in April](https://money.cnn.com/2018/04/19/technology/youtube-ads-extreme-content-investigation/index.html) that found ads for 300 companies, from Adidas to Hershey to Netflix, appeared next to questionable YouTube content. The company had been plagued by similar scandals throughout last year.
Still, research firm eMarketer estimates Google will control 31 percent of the digital ad market this year.
On the company's conference call, CFO Ruth Porat said, "One of the biggest opportunities for investment continues to be our ads business, where we're continuing to invest meaningfully."
While the EU fine, announced last week as a penalty for abusing the market dominance of its Android operating system, did eat into profit, on an adjusted basis the company posted earnings of $11.75 a share, ahead of analyst estimates for $9.59.
Another good signーAlphabet also saw slowing growth in its so-called traffic acquisition costs, or how much the company pays to drive views to its sites.
Overall revenue came in at $32.7 billion for the quarter. Sales from its "Other Bets", which include Google's cloud business and hardware division, rose nearly 50 percent to $145 million.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/alphabet-hits-all-time-high-after-reporting-q2-earnings).
Ty Young, CEO of Ty J. Young Wealth Management, joins Cheddar to discuss Trump's moves as he returns to Washington D.C. and how it may affect the U.S. economy.
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Chris Ruder, Spikeball Founder and CEO, explains how he and his friends put roundnet on the global map, plus, how Spikeball helps people "find their circle."
J.W. Roth, CEO of Venu Holding Corporation, discusses the company's IPO and plans to redefine live music entertainment with their fan founded, fan-owned model.
Variety's Clayton Davis discusses why more than just the 1% are struggling after the LA fires. Plus, how awards shows will pivot to help victims. Watch!
Emily Hosie, CEO of Rebelstork, explains the concept of Returns Recommerce, plus how her company raised $18M to address the industry-wide issue of returns.