Early indicators are that Google is tending more toward the Microsoft path. It’s announced a rash of project and staffing cuts in recent days, many of which seem designed to cut the fat and lighten its balance sheet–perhaps to help blunt the market effect of lower-than-expected numbers.
Apple’s and Microsoft’s numbers differ significantly in that Apple’s gains were primarily in consumer-focused wares like iPods and iPhones, while Microsoft’s PC, software, and especially its online businesses seemed to struggle. Google, like Apple, is considered more consumer- than enterprise-driven (at least for now), which might just provide the oomph it needs to hit its numbers. Still, like Microsoft, Google’s mainstay online business is suffering, and deflated key word prices and the recent drop in online advertising revenues don’t bode well.
Maybe in the end, Google won’t line up with either Apple or Microsoft, and instead, will forge a middle path–posting numbers that aren’t too hot nor too cold, but just right. We’ll know more at 4:30pm ET.
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