Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) report after the bell.
Google, the world’s no 1 search engine is expected to report robust quarterly results notwithstanding having to absorb charges relating to its $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc (NYSE:MMI) and, of course, the competition from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).
A Reuters survey of analysts puts expectations of net income at $3.34 billion, up 17 percent and translating to $10.05 a share, while revenue is expected to rocket upwards of 20 percent to $8.41 billion. However, the word on the street is that EPS could be higher at $10.53.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) may also announce a likely date for its stock split which was approved at the company’s June annual meeting. Analysts expect Google to also reveal latest subscriber numbers for its Google + service, putting in perspective its relative position versus Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). Will the company comment on the likely action from regulators on both sides of the Atlantic on its humongous (almost two-thirds) share in global search activity? Maybe, but we also look forward to a glimpse into its strategy for Motorola Mobility, and how it intends to sell its smartphones. Lastly, what about Android – will Google continue to license the OS out to other competitors in the phone industry?
There’s not much suspense on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s second quarter numbers, given that the company has already announced that it will write-off $6.2 billion from the value of aQuantive, an online advertising agency it acquired in 2007. This should land the quarterly numbers in a splash of red ink.
Aside the write-off, analysts expect Microsoft to post net earnings to fall to $5.23 billion, down 12 percent, which is about 62 cents a share. Revenues are expected to rise 4 percent to $18.1 billion. Word on the street? $0.67 a share.
On other factors, analysts expect a substantial upside for Microsoft from the slew of new offerings in the pipeline: Windows 8, Office 2013, the Surface tablet and others. The touchscreen ability on Windows 8 may attract more phone-makers, other than Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK), to use the OS in their phones.
