Google Stock Split

What, Google announces a stock split … and the price goes down?

Down $15 as of this writing.

It appears that Google plans to issue non-voting stock going forward.  The intention is to allow management to maintain control.

This is a 2-1 stock split that creates one of largest block of non-voting shares.  Technically , it is a stock dividend.  And there has been no date published.

Oh by the way, earnings were also announced.

Stock Up After Google Announces

That’s what happens when you announce earnings and revenue that exceeds expectations.  Of course, the opposite is true, we just won’t go there today …

As I type, the stock is up 12.08% +63.90 to 592.84.

We could get into the financial side of stuff, but lets talk about Google+.  Yes, that’s Google with a plus sign.

Google’s making a big push to be more social.  Or at least get you to spend more time with Google then with Facebook.

While I haven’t involved myself with Google+, a number of people I know have reporting that some of the Google+ features are an improvement over what Facebook offers.  In particular, the “circle” ability for your friends.  You can create groups, i.e. – circles, of friends.  Something you can’t readily do with Facebook.  Do you really want to tell all of your friends (which might include your dear old grandmother) about your drunken debauchery last night.  I didn’t think so.  Google+ lets you communicate that type of sensitive information to the group of friends that you want to.  Sorry Facebook.

If Google can get you to stay more on their site(s) and less time of that other site, I would expect that to impact the bottom line.

Google+ still has a big hurdle … until my wife mentions Google+ I think Facebook will rule the social wave.

Google Earnings Report for 3rd Quarter 2010

… are good, very good.

Google’s earnings report mentions revenue at $7.29B.  And in case they ever want to buy something, they have 33.4B in case or equivalents available.

The market has reacted favorably to the news, sending the price up my more than 10% from yesterday’s closing price.