Google Beats Profit Expectations

It beat profit expectations and in the first few minutes after the numbers hit, the stock rose in afterhours trading.

The numbers:

• Non-GAAP EPS: $11.58 versus $10.69 expectations.
• Revenue: $13.97 billion versus $14.04 billion expectations.
• Cost-per-click down 4% y/y.
• Paid clicks increased 20% y/y.
• Traffic acquisition costs were 25% of revenues, flat y/y.

In a statement, CEO Larry Page said: “We had a very strong start to 2013, with $14.0 billion in revenue, up 31% year-on-year. We are working hard and investing in our products that aim to improve billions of people's lives all around the world.”

Click here for the release.

Google will host a conference call today at 4:30 eastern.

We'll be monitoring the call for news and will post anything relevant here.

Earlier, JP Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth published a great list of topics and data points to listen for. Quoting from his latest note…

• "Google core search trends including the ongoing transition from desktop to mobile"
• "Cost-per-click and Google Sites traffic acquisition costs metrics, both of which surprised to the upside in 4Q"
• "Management’s commentary on Enhanced Campaigns around advertiser response, adoption timing, and financial impact"
• "Updated Product Listing Ads feedback"
• "Android/Nexus device sales and strategy"
• "A Motorola update including more detail on Google designs in the product pipeline"
• "Any update on C shares timing and management's latest thoughts on returning capital."