Earnings Preview: Google (GOOG)

Google GOOG is set to report earnings tonight after the bell, and all eyes will be looking to see what Larry Page has to say on his first conference call, as company CEO. Page took over for Eric Schmidt, as the company is trying to move into social networking successfully, despite having failed with Google Buzz and Google Wave. At last check, shares of Google were trading at $575.55, down 73 cents or a loss of 0.13%. Analysts will be looking for nearly 25% growth in revenues, growing revenues from $5.06 billion to $6.32 billion. Earnings are forecasted to jump to $8.11 per share, up from $6.76 per share from a year ago. Analysts will also be asking questions on how Google plans to integrate ITA Software into the company's core search business. Google just closed the transaction, buying ITA for $700 million, despite antitrust concerns, and complains from other competitors such as Microsoft MSFT, Expedia EXPE and Kayak.com.