Google last night reported more than $1 billion in profit in the final quarter of 2006, beating the market's high expectations for the search engine.
Google's earnings in the quarter ending December 31 were $1.03 billion or $3.36 per share. Analysts had forecast earnings for the quarter of $2.90 per share.
Google's fourth-quarter revenues of $3.2 billion were up 67% on the same period a year earlier.
For the full year, earnings were more than double the 2005 figure at $3 billion.
Around $1.4 billion of Google revenues for the year came from the markets outside of the US. Mobile search and advertising are Google priorities for this year, company co-founder Larry Page said during a conference call.
The company said partnerships formed last year with companies such as MySpace, China Mobile, Samsung, and Apple were 'kicking in' and Google intended to continue making allegiances and acquisitions in 2007.
Google employs more than 800 people in Dublin and late last year announced plans to employ another 500.
