Alphabet Inc Shares

Google has been on its heels after OpenAI, a startup Microsoft is backing with around $10 billion, introduced software in November that has wowed consumers and become a fixation in Silicon Valley

The companies billed the moves as a way to make their stocks more accessible for retail investors and that has been achieved

The company on Wednesday announced a 20-for-1 stock split, its first since 1999, and a $10 billion share buyback

The new class of retail investors often weigh affordability and brand recognition when deciding which stocks to buy.

Alphabet shares were barely changed at $1,552, above their pre-pandemic high, after it said revenue fell 2% in the second quarter, less than analysts' estimate of a 4% decline

The company's share transition has also buoyed investor confidence in the stock