Google (GOOGL) Q3 Earnings Preview: Continued Growth Expected As Search, YouTube, Android Dominate For Alphabet Inc.

After releasing its popular new Pixel smartphone and seeing its shares of shares him more than 800 this month, Google parent company Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is expected to reveal steady growth in its third quarter earnings on Thursday. Investors surveyed by FactSet expected the company's C class (GOOG) earnings per share (EPS) to grow slightly to 8.63 from 8.42 in the second quarter and 7.35 for the third quarter of 2015. Citing growth in YouTube's popularity and mobile use of its search engine, Alphabet beat analysts' expectations with its second quarter earnings release in July, with C class earnings per share (EPS) of 8.42 on revenues of 21.5 billion over forecasts 8.04 per share on 20.76 billion. "Video is a huge component of digital content, and YouTube continues to shine," Alphabet Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said during a conference call following the July earnings report. Pinchai pointed to last quarter's growth in the Android operating system. "Android is thriving," Pinchai said, adding that the past year saw 65 billion app installments.