Google 4Q Profit Misses Analyst Target

Googles fourth-quarter profits missed analyst expectations, signaling the faltering U.S. economy has Depression of the Internet search leader to make money Machine.

Mountain View-based company said Thursday it earned 1.21 billion U.S. dollars, or 3.79 U.S. dollars per share, in the final three months of 2007Äê. This is an increase of 17% from net income of 1.03 billion U.S. dollars, or $ 3.29 per cent share in the same period last year more Earlier.

if not stock incentives to its employees, Google said it will make $ 4.43 per share - a Pennys below The average forecast among analysts by Thomson Financial.

total revenue of 4.83 billion U.S. dollars, 51 percent of the 3.21 billion U.S. dollars to improve in the past year.

in a more important measures to investors, Google will retain 3.39 billion U.S. dollars in income after payment of commissions to their thousands Thousands of advertising partners page.

net income missed analyst estimates, about 60 million U.S. dollars, or just under 2%.

disappointment may be a sound concern, Google will not be able to sold more online advertising - the main source of its profits - as consumers Crack down on their spending, the ominous signs of an economic recession in the United States country.

these concerns have contributed to nearly 20 percent of the decline in Googles stock prices this month.

Googles shares rose 16.0 3 U.S. dollars to close at 564.30 U.S. dollars at Thursdays regular session Then, down 45 cents, or 8 percent, in extended trading after the , The fourth quarter outcome.

Although Googles profits are still rising, the fourth-quarter revenue smallest in the companys 14 quarters as a public company. This is just the third time Googles earnings have not exceeded analyst expectations.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, but said he was pleased with the companys show.

In addition to the U.S. economy, other issues drag Googles stock.

investors particularly concerned about Googles participation in the Sino-US relations government auction of a valuable piece of airwaves will cost successful bidder At least 4.6 billion U.S. dollars. Bidding is not expected to be completed until March.

While Google can use the 700 MHz spectrum to make more money from advertisements sent to mobile phones, many investors are worried that expanding Can become a financial drain and decentralized management of the company from the main Internet business.

Google the end of this year, 14.2 billion yuan. Following through on the commitments made by a after last years earnings were disappointed in July when, Google back on hiring.

The company also said that 889 workers, in 2007 the last three months after achieving in more than 2,100 employees, in the June-September Period.