Google parent Alphabet earnings: What to watch

Google parent Alphabet reports fourth-quarter earnings after the close on Thursday. SAN FRANCISCO -- Google parent Alphabet is scheduled to announce third-quarter earnings after the market closes Thursday. REVENUE FORECAST: Analysts expect revenue of $25.18 billion, excluding payments to advertising partners, up 18% from the year-ago period. EARNINGS FORECAST: Earnings, excluding some items, are expected to increase to $9.61 a share. MADE BY GOOGLE: Google is not new to hardware but in the fourth quarter it launched a major line-up of devices including the Pixel phone and Google Home, the home speaker.