Google profit up 7-fold, to 204.1 million dollars

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Feb 1 (AFP) - Google net profit jumped seven fold in the fourth quarter compared with a year ago, as revenues surged from advertising and increased Web searches over the year-end holidays, the company said Tuesday.
The Internet search leader posted a net profit of 204.1 million dollars compared with 27 million in the same period a year ago.
Revenues meanwhile topped one billion dollars for the first time since the company begun in 1998 -- 1.032 billion dollars for the quarter ended December 31, up 101 percent year over year.
"Google had an exceptional quarter. Revenues and profits increased significantly, our execution was solid across the company and most importantly, our relationship with our users, partners and advertisers became even stronger," said Eric Schmidt, Google chief executive officer. "All of this happened while we continued to innovate, expand around the world and make strategic, long-term investments."

02/01/2005 22:50 GMT - AFP