Google’s strength in advertising to drive growth: analysts

(Reuters) – Google Inc appears to be like set to extend its leadership in internet marketing as it sharpens its focus on its core industry, analysts said after strong advert gross sales helped the No. 1 search firm document stronger-than-anticipated quarterly income. Google's shares, which closed at $1,135 in advance of the consequences announcement on Thursday, opened about 3 % better after as a minimum 12 brokerages raised their worth objectives on the stock to as much as $1,four hundred. Dealer Canaccord Genuity raised its goal worth by means of $370 to $1,370, noting that Google's web site earnings growth accelerated to 22.1 % in the fourth quarter, the third consecutive quarter of quicker growth. Canaccord and others also said the sale of Google's loss-making Motorola handset unit to China's Lenovo Group Ltd would help it center of attention on its core internet business and enhance margins.