Post date: Apr 13, 2011 10:21:49 PM
Google co-founder Larry Page is in the spotlight as he settles into his new role of CEO and ahead of the seach giant's earnings
USA-GOOGLE OUTLOOK - It's been a little over a week since the end of adult supervision at Silicon Valley giant Google. Co-founder Larry Page is back in the driver's seat taking over the role of CEO from Eric Schmidt who ran the company for 10 years.
The younger and less experienced Page has been busy. Over the past week, the company announced its bid to buy up Nortel patents giving it a leg up in the wireless space. It also introduced YouTube live streaming video propelling it one step closer to a full blown network. And it managed to win regulatory approval for its merger with travel software company ITA.
Standard & Poor's Equity Analyst Scott KesslerSCOTT KESSLER, STANDARD & POOR'S EQUITY ANALYST, SAYING:
"I think he's spending a lot of time essentially trying to establish what things are worth pursuing and what things are worth concluding. That's a really big job at Google and a really important one."
Page's strength lies in innovation. His weakness? He doesn't like being in the public's eye. But all eyes will be on him when the company announces its earnings on Thursday. Investors will be looking for clues on Page's vision for the company including how it plans on tackling social networking.
SCOTT KESSLER, STANDARD & POOR'S EQUITY ANALYST, SAYING:
"I think they key is trying to figure out how Google can position itself successfully in social media without say launching an entirely new product offering or business."
Investors will also be looking at how Google plans on growing their search advertising business and whether it expects more spending on hiring.
Google has been mum on whether Page will participate in the company's earnings call. It might be in his best interest. Google's stock has fallen roughly nine percent since it was announced he'd take over as CEO. An appearance from the new face of the company could boost investor confidence. I'm Reuters Reporter Karina Huber.