Google profits lower than predicted

GOOGLE, owner of the world’s most popular search engine, has reported profits that missed some analysts’ estimates as the company ramped up spending.

Net income rose 24% to $1.84 billion (€1.42bn), or $5.71 a share, from $1.49bn, $4.66 a share, a year earlier, the company said yesterday.

Profit, excluding some items, was $6.45 a share during the quarter, Google said. Analysts had estimated $6.52, according to Bloomberg.