Google Recovers Some Lost Ground: Fool by Numbers

"France places
stand;
directed at with
places Up,
up,
the Google."

-- "Growing Up Google," by Shawn Rider's Google-powered poetry generator

On Thursday, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) released first-quarter 2008 earnings for the period ended March 31.

Read our full analysis on Google's earnings.
After reporting earnings following the market's close yesterday, Google shares opened almost 20% higher today.
Year-over-year growth on all fronts is slowing down as Big G grows into its breeches. The company made a net profit of $399 million in all of 2004, compared to $4.7 billion in the past 12 months. Clearly, Google's done a lot of growing -- but it still operates in a world of rich online margins.
Google is vacillating between two-star and three-star ratings these days at Motley Fool CAPS. Mosey on over and see whether you can knock that third star off again with a thumbs-down rating -- or take it to the next level with a thumbs-up.

(Figures in millions, except per-share data)

Income Statement Highlights

Get back to basics with the income statement.

Margin Checkup

*Expressed in percentage points.

Margins are the earnings engine.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Assets	Q1 2008	Q1 2007	Change
Cash + Short-Term Investments	$12,135	$11,936	1.7%
Accounts Receivable	$2,561	$1,477	73.4%

Liabilities	Q1 2008	Q1 2007	Change
Accounts Payable	$358	$182	97%
Long-Term Debt	$0	$0	N/A

The balance sheet reflects the company's health.

Cash Flow Highlights

Free cash flow is a Fool's best friend.

Competitive Context

Using the latest reported numbers from Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's. Keep your partners close and the competition in your vest pocket.

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NASDAQ: GOOGL