Google posts higher-than-expected profit in the fourth segment

Google posts a higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit, but returns growth was not well as some investors had expected, also its shares down 5%.
Analysts also pointed to signs that Google was ramping up spending as a possible cause for anxiety, but the company continued to control the Internet search market and bring a strong quarterly report that cut down short of only Wall Street's most bullish forecasts.

Net profits, which exclude the traffic achievement costs Google paid to partners, rose 13 % to $4.95 billion, which was at the low end of some estimates for 13 % to 15% growth. The averages predict was $4.92 billion.

"As we come into 2010, we remain massively positive about the Internet and are continuing to invest a lot in technological innovation for the advantage not only of our users and customers, but also the wider Web," said Chief Executive Eric Schmidt.

Net income was $1.97 billion, or $6.13 a share, in the 3 months ended December 31, contrast with $382.4 million, or $1.21 a share, in the year-earlier period when the company get charges for its investments in AOL Inc and Clearwire Corp.

Total profits at Google, the world's Number one search engine, rose 17% to $6.67 billion.

Google shares cut down about 5% to $552.52 in after-hours trade.