Will Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Surpass Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)?

Google reported a strong quarter last week which sent the stock soaring over the $600 level. Google now trades with a market capitalization of approximately $195.22 billion. The growth story seems to be intact for the company as it beat estimates, and even cited 50% annualized growth for YouTube.

But can the Internet giant pass Microsoft as the third largest company in the united states? It's getting quite close. Microsoft's market capitalization resides at $219.61 billion. For Google's market cap to surpass this, the stock price would need to go to $689.06 per share, which does not seem out of reach considering Google trades at $612.53 currently. Microsoft's share price of $25.38 would need to stay the same or go lower in this case, for Google to claim the title.

Eat into This(NASDAQ: GOOG) Delicious (NASDAQ: MSFT) Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)(NASDAQ: RIMM)

Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) came out with an incredible quarter today. The company earned $4.34 billion on revenue of $20.3 billion. This smashed wall street expectations whose analyst estimated $18 billion in revenue. A record 3.9 million Macs were sold, and 14.1 million iPhones. The company had stated that it would have sold more iPhones had they produces more iPhones. The street seemed to be disappointed with 4.2 million iPad sales, even as Apple ramps up iPad production. Key stores such as AT&T and Verizon have yet to receive the iPad. AT&T receives the device in its stores on October 28. The iPad demand is large, but the devices seem to still be in short supply in other countries. Apple also has come out with a lineup of new iPods which should help sales increase for next quarter which includes the holiday season.

Apple shares fell 6.13% to $298.50 in after-hours trading as profit takers and short sellers created a negative atmosphere out what appeared to be an outstanding quarter.

"Apple goes KOBATA again," said Allan Edwards, co-CEO of The Markets Are Open "There's just no stopping these guys." KOBATA is a rarely used term on Wall Street standing for "knocked it out of the ballpark above top anticipations." Edwards continued that it is very rare to see a KOBATA in back to back quarters.

Apple also blew past Research In Motion for the first time, outselling them iPhone vs BlackBerry. Steve Jobs also commented that Android was his next target. Microsoft shares also dropped on the news.

To read Kibbens' full report, click here.

Google, Apple, and IBM lead the way (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: AAPL) (NYSE: IBM)

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) had reported an excellent quarter last week which sent the stock up $60 on Friday. The stock continues to shine in today's trading, up over $12 per share.

IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) report today after the close. Analyst are expecting blow out quarters from these two companies. Apple earnings are expected to top $4 per share on strong iPad sales, and a strong back to school season.

Google Beats The Numbers (NASDAQ:GOOG)

TAIWAN - Earnings came in at $6.72 per share easily decimating the analyst forecast of $6.67 per share. Google's average cost per click, which determines how much Google and its partners receive for their advertising, soared as well. Revenue was also up 26% year over year. "Google had an excellent quarter. Our core business grew very well, and our newer businesses - particularly display and mobile - continued to show significant momentum." Said Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The company holds $33 billion of cash and equivalents.

"Google is taking market share with Android, and fast" Said co-CEO of The Markets Are Open, Allan Edwards. "I would have liked to buy some after hearing this incredible conference call. I'm ecstatic that cost per click advertising is up."

Google Inc rose to $601.45.

Google Adds Cents to Beat Estimates (NASDAQ: GOOG)

Google inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) smashed the earnings estimates after reporting its third quarter results after the close of the market. Earnings came in at $6.72 per share easily decimating the analyst forecast of $6.67 per share. This was equivalent to $2.17 billion in net income, which has increase 32% on a year-over-year basis.

Google's average cost per click, which determines how much Google and its partners receive for their advertising, soared as well. The company is "improving the ad formats" said Jonathan Rosenberg, Senior Vice President of Product Management, which is helping to increase the number of clicks. Google AdSense revenue was up to $2.2 billion. Rosenberg also commented that the new Google Instant, which allows users to get search results as they type, did not help revenue so much, but was intended to help the user. "[F]rom a resource standpoint, it's actually pretty expensive," he said.

It is interesting to note that U.S. revenue was up 26% year over year, but international revenue accounted for 52% of the total revenue, coming in at $2.8 billion. Google also cited increasing momentum in small businesses.

"Google had an excellent quarter. Our core business grew very well, and our newer businesses - particularly display and mobile - continued to show significant momentum." Said Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The company holds $33 billion of cash and equivalents.

Rosenberg continued to talk about 3 things: Display ads came in at a $2.5 billion annualized run rate, which includes ads from YouTube, DoubleClick, and non-text ads; YouTube is monetizing over 2 billion views per week which is up 50% year-over-year. Google is trying new TrueView ads on YouTube, where viewers can select which commercials they would like to watch and advertisers only paying for the selected ads; and lastly, Mobile views of Google's ads is on an annualized run rate of $1 billion. This means they would add $1 billion annually to Google's revenue streams.

With regards to Android, Eric Schmidt commented that people who use Android phones search twice as much, and the searches are more lucrative. Therefore it is quite profitable for Google, who essentially gives the open source operating system away for free.

"Google is taking market share with Android, and fast" Said co-CEO of The Markets Are Open, Allan Edwards. "I would have liked to buy some after hearing this incredible conference call. I'm ecstatic that cost per click advertising is up."

Google Inc. rose 9.07% or $49.07 in after hours trading, to $590.00.

Can Google Beat The Numbers? (NASDAQ: GOOG)

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) reports it's quarterly earnings Thursday after the closing bell. On average analysts expect the fast-growing tech giant to earn a whopping $6.67 per share. The street high estimate is at $7.10 which would greatly impress investors. Last quarter the company reported $6.45 per share.

Google's share price had taken a hit in recent months when the company announced that it would be pulling out of China. This move would leave Google's China market share in the hands of Baidu. However, since then Google's stock price has crept back up from its $433 low in July.

The company has launched several additional features on its web site, appealing to users. For instance the Google instant search makes searching happen in the blink of an eye. The firm also launched "goo.gl" for URL shortening, and has bought a small company called BlindType. The purchase of the company could add new features to Google's rapid selling Android operating system which has been taking market share away from the competitors. Although Google currently lacks a profit model for its top selling operating system, the phones are allowing more people to use the Internet on the fly; this in turn will allow customers to use Google.com and its services more often.