The internet search leader Google Inc. (GOOGL) on Thursday reported profits of $3.41 billion in the second-quarter of the year,beating analysists' expectations.
The Mountain View, California-based company said it had profit of $4.93 per share. Earnings, adjusted for stock option expense and non-recurring costs, came to $6.99 per share.
The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 19 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $6.76 per share.
Google posted revenue of $17.73 billion in the period. After subtracting Google's advertising commissions, revenue was $14.35 billion, which met Street forecasts.
Google shares have climbed 13 percent since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has increased 3 percent. In the final minutes of trading on Thursday, shares hit $600.25, a rise of 7 percent in the last 12 months.
