Google results gaffe wipes 9% off its market value

Google Inc inadvertently released its draft quarterly results hours ahead of schedule, significantly missing expectations on both revenue and earnings and wiping 9% off the market value of the internet search and advertising leader.

Google said its financial printers, RR Donnelley, filed its draft results statement without authorisation.

The company, which recently overtook Microsoft to become the second-largest US technology company by capitalisation, had been due to release its results after the market closed.