Google had revenue of US$5.94 billion, up 7 percent compared with 2008's third quarter, the company said Thursday. Of that total, it paid out $1.56 billion, or 27 percent, as commissions to its advertising partners and, to a lesser extent, as fees to other partners. Thus, net revenue was $4.38 billion.
Net income came in at $1.64 billion, or $5.13 per share, up from $1.29 billion, or $4.06 per share, in 2008's third quarter.
On a pro forma basis, which excludes certain items, net income was $1.88 billion, or $5.89 per share, compared to $1.56 billion, or $4.92 per share.
The consensus estimate from financial analysts was for earnings per share on a pro forma basis of $5.42 and net revenue, deducting commissions, of $4.24 billion.
Paid clicks on ads served on Google sites and on partner sites increased 14 percent, while the average cost-per-click fell 6 percent, Google said.
The company ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities totalling $22 billion, and with a global staff of 19,665 full-time employees, slightly down from the second quarter.