Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) saw its shares edge higher after reports indicated that Chinese authorities have decided to terminate an antitrust investigation into Google, as Beijing and Washington intensify talks on trade, TikTok, and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), according to the Financial Times on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The probe, launched in February by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), had focused on Google’s Android operating system and its potential effects on local smartphone manufacturers such as Oppo and Xiaomi. The regulator had previously suggested that Google might have violated China’s anti-monopoly laws, though details of the alleged breaches were not disclosed.
Google had reportedly not been formally informed that the investigation was being dropped. Following the news, Alphabet’s shares climbed about 1.4% in premarket trading in the U.S.
The report comes as Chinese regulators also turn their attention to Nvidia, the world’s most valuable chipmaker, which sources told the FT is part of Beijing’s effort to strengthen its bargaining position in ongoing trade discussions.
Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that China’s cyberspace regulator instructed major tech firms, including ByteDance and Alibaba (NYSE:BABA), to halt purchases of Nvidia’s AI chips. In recent days, China has also accused Nvidia of violating its competition laws after what officials described as a preliminary review of the company’s business practices.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and China concluded three days of trade negotiations in Madrid this week. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss a potential agreement on the U.S. operations of the short-form video app TikTok, owned by ByteDance, with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
Alibaba Group Holdings stock price
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.