Alphabet stock rises after judge rules Google can keep Chrome browser

Investing.com -- Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) stock rose over 5% in after-hours trading Tuesday after a federal judge ruled that Google will not be required to sell its popular Chrome web browser as part of remedies in the Justice Department’s landmark antitrust case.

Judge Amit Mehta’s decision allows Google to avoid one of the most severe potential penalties following the court’s earlier finding that the company maintained an illegal monopoly in the search market. While Google will be barred from entering into exclusive contracts for internet search, the ruling spares the tech giant from divesting key assets.

The decision also determined that Google will not have to sell off its Android operating system, representing another significant victory for the company. Additionally, the judge ruled that Google will not be required to cease payments to Apple and other companies for preloading Google products.

The judgment, which will last for six years, does require Google to share certain information with competitors as a remedy for its online search monopoly. This less severe outcome than what government prosecutors had sought appears to have relieved investors.

The news also positively impacted Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), whose shares rose 3.6%, as the ruling allows the continuation of the lucrative arrangement where Google pays Apple to be the default search engine on iOS devices.

The court’s decision marks a pivotal moment in one of the most significant tech antitrust cases in recent years, allowing Google to maintain control of key products while implementing more modest competitive remedies.

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