Earnings Preview: Google (GOOG)

Google GOOG is set to report earnings today after the bell, and analysts are looking for a big quarter, largely based on a busy holiday shopping season. Google is expected to report a 22% rise in fourth quarter revenue, largely based on e-commerce activity. "Any kind of pickup in activity in e-commerce should translate into strong search advertising," said Yun Kim, analyst at Gleacher & Company. Analysts will also look to hiring practices at Google, which is facing increased competition from Facebook and Apple Inc AAPL. Analysts expect earnings of $8.09 per share on revenues of $6.06 billion this quarter.