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News Breaks April 12, 2012 11:20 EDT GOOG, MMI Earnings Preview: Google's Q1 results could closely resemble Q4 numbers Google (GOOG) is expected to report Q1 earnings after the market close on Thursday, April 12, with a conference call scheduled for 4:30 pm ET. The consensus estimate is $9.65 for EPS and $8.15B for revenue, according to First Call. Google reported weaker than expected fourth quarter results after its third quarter results beat expectations. The outlook for first quarter results is mixed, as Google's shares have pulled back a bit in the last few weeks. In fact, Google shares have slipped 1.54% this year, compared to the Nasdaq's gain of 15.79%. Last quarter, Investors were particularly concerned about an unexpected drop in prices for Google's Internet search ads. Some analysts believe the change reflects a shift to more searches on smartphones, where advertising rates are lower. Others are worried that the downturn in ad prices is a sign that Google is losing share to competitors, including Facebook (FB). Investors will be looking for clues in order to determine whether the drop in ad prices last year was an aberration or the start of a trend that could slow the company's growth. Google's Q1 expenses also are likely to be a focal point of the report, as CEO Larry Page has pledged to make expensive investments in employees and projects that he believes will boost the company's long-term returns. Analysts also will likely inquire about the status of Google's proposed $12.5B acquisition of cellphone maker Motorola Mobility Holdings (MMI). Needham's Q1 estimates are below consensus expectations, with the firm predicting that the company will be hurt by continued declines in cost-per-click, or CPC, rates and weakness in Europe. The firm expects Google to report Q1 net revenue of $8.043B and pro forma EPS of $9.26. Needham says that while the number of Google's U.S. core search queries increased 9% YoY in Q1, strong mobile growth should push overall query growth ahead of these expectations. However, the firm believes that CPC rates could decline 4%. Additionally, Needham believes that European search spending continued to slow due to the macro environment there. After conducting industry checks and evaluating YouTube trends, Nthe firm expects the growth of Google's display business to moderate in Q1. However, Needham expects advertisers to continue to allocate more of their budgets to Google, given its deep search relationships, large YouTube audience, and end-to-end display advertising ecosystem. Android activations reached 850,000 per day in Q1, Needham notes, and the operating system should continue to be the primary growth engine for Google's mobile advertising and app revenue, said the firm. Needham maintains a Buy rating on the shares with a $750 price target. Consensus estimates for Q2 and FY12 are: $10.01 on $8.43B in revenue and $42.60 on $35.45B in revenue, respectively. News For GOOG;MMI From The Last 14 Days Check below for free stories on GOOG;MMI the last two weeks. Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | all recent news | >> May 22, 2013 16:00 EDT GOOG Options Update; May 22, 2013 Subscribe for More Information 14:27 EDT GOOG comScore says Google Sites lead April U.S. online video rankings Subscribe for More Information 14:06 EDT GOOG Google’s X Phone confirmed for Sprint, BGR says Subscribe for More Information 09:39 EDT GOOG Active equity option families trading Subscribe for More Information May 21, 2013 19:39 EDT GOOG Google tax behavior to be criticized by U.K. party leader, Reuters says Subscribe for More Information 10:42 EDT GOOG Google tests support at $900, levels to watch The shares have had an amazing run-up over the last month, gaining nearly 14% in the process. Today, support at the $900 level is being tested with shares having broken that level to reach $897.61 and then bouncing slightly back above $900. If the stock can close back above $900 today, it will have passed the first test of support at this area. If it fails to do so, it could give bears in the stock an opportunity to sell and chase out longs in the name. First support today is at the session low at $897.61. Resistance is at $903.87. May 20, 2013 16:02 EDT GOOG Options Update; May 20, 2013 Subscribe for More Information 09:40 EDT GOOG Active equity option families trading Subscribe for More Information 07:53 EDT GOOG Google ex-employee claims evidence of U.K. tax evasion, FT says Subscribe for More Information May 17, 2013 16:00 EDT GOOG Options Update; May 17, 2013 Subscribe for More Information 14:03 EDT GOOG Market set to finish week with gains after Cisco results, comments Subscribe for More Information 09:38 EDT GOOG Google rises following price target bump, levels to watch Subscribe for More Information 09:37 EDT GOOG Active equity option families trading on open Subscribe for More Information 08:53 EDT GOOG Google price target raised to $1,065 from $875 at Argus Subscribe for More Information 07:10 EDT GOOG U.K. to question Amazon over income tax, Reuters reports Subscribe for More Information 06:36 EDT GOOG Google to add new apps to Google Glass, NY Times says Subscribe for More Information May 16, 2013 18:42 EDT GOOG Google sent letter by Congress over Glass privacy issues, WSJ reports Subscribe for More Information 14:01 EDT GOOG Options Update; May 16, 2013 Subscribe for More Information 13:05 EDT GOOG Spending on Apple, Android video games jumped in Q1, AllThingsD says In the first quarter spending on video games for Apple (AAPL) and Android devices increased significantly versus the previous quarter, while spending on video games for traditional handheld consoles fell meaningfully, research firms IDC and App Annie found, according to AllThingsD. Consumers spent three times more on games for smartphones and tablets than on games for traditional handheld consoles last quarter, the website stated. Reference Link 10:25 EDT GOOG Microsoft discussing 'glasses' tech with Vuzix, NY Post says Subscribe for More Information 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | all recent news | >> Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing.