Why Google is selling 100 year old bond suddenly?

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has made headlines with a bold fundraising move. The company has raised nearly $32 billion through a massive multi-currency bond issue, designed to support its growing investments in artificial intelligence. The most striking part of this package is a £1 billion sterling bond that will mature in 100 years  a rarity in the corporate world and almost unheard of in the technology sector.

This century bond marks the first such issue by a tech company since Motorola in 1997, making it a historic step. Alphabet’s decision reflects its confidence in long-term growth and its commitment to funding the infrastructure needed for AI, including advanced data centres and powerful chips.

Beyond the 100-year bond, Alphabet issued about £5.5 billion in sterling debt across different maturities. It also raised nearly 3.055 billion Swiss francs in several tranches, while in the United States it placed around $20 billion worth of dollar-denominated bonds, stretching maturities decades into the future.

This extraordinary financing move signals Alphabet’s determination to secure resources for the next wave of technological innovation. For investors, it offers a rare chance to back a company’s vision not just for years, but for an entire century.