Google shares

Google posted fourth-quarter profit that nearly tripled from the year before and beat analysts' expectations. The results also marked the first time Google's quarterly earnings have exceeded $1 billion in its eight-year history.The average "cost-per-click," one measure used to sell online advertisements, fell from the third quarter as Google started selling ads on MySpace, a social networking site, where conversion rates are low. The figure was also dragged down as advertisers turned to lower-priced keywords to reach niche audiences, and as Google expanded into emerging markets where CPCs are lower.