If you were to ask people which company most permeates their daily lives, I think many — perhaps most — would say Google (NASDAQ: GOOG.US).
Instead of searching the internet, we just ‘Google’. Most smartphones and tablets run Google’s Android OS. Google’s Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser. Google also dominates the world of maps and navigation. There is Google Docs. And Google Earth. And Google Translate. Through Motorola Mobility, it now has one of the world’s most extensive patent portfolios. And there’s more…
The world’s most innovative company
It is preparing to bring out a smartwatch, as well as smartglasses. It is working on driverless cars. It is investing in renewable energy. It dominates online and mobile advertising. Want to find out more? Just Google “Google”. The list of its activities and interests is endless.
To me, Google is the world’s most innovative company. While most research is incremental, Google has a unique understanding of step-change innovation. The company spots trends early and invests in them. Plus it is always looking for new ways to improve its products and processes — it never seems to rest on its laurels.
What’s more, the firm has the financial muscle to buy up innovative companies and invest in relevant research, and it is agile, moving quickly in response to market need.
The result is formidable.
Admittedly, the internet (and Google) has now been around quite some time, and the really canny investors would have bought in a decade ago. The Google share price has already increased a lot.
Nonetheless, Google is on my watchlist, and I will be looking to buy in on any dips.
Part of a long-term trend
You see, the internet is a long-term trend. Just as when electricity went from being a new laboratory invention to eventually transform the world, the internet is now also transforming the world.
And Google is riding the wave of the internet, whether this be on computers, tablets, smartphones or (soon) TVs, cars, household appliances, watches, glasses and anything else you can think of.
To all intents and purposes, Google is the internet. And the internet is taking over the world. That’s why I think that Google will eventually be the most valuable company in the world, and why I think the company is a ‘buy’.