Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (formerly named Google) gained 51% for the year on the back of a 25% rise in the fourth quarter. The company reported strong revenue growth year-over-year across the U.S., U.K., and the rest of the world. The bear case that the move to mobile search would be detrimental to revenues and market share seemed to fade. Mobile queries now outnumber desktop queries in important countries, and mobile revenue per click is improving. Alphabet segment YouTube’s growth remained strong, and the company announced a new pay tier named Red. Disclosure should improve with new reporting of segments in January. During the fourth quarter, a new share buyback program was authorized, further affirming the company’s attention to capital allocation.
From Longleaf Partners Fund 4th quarter commentary.
