Baidu Q1 2012 Profits Rise, But Revenue Outlook for Next Quarter Disappointing

Baidu, which runs China’s most popular search engine, has reported a rise in first quarter profits, although second quarter revenue expectations may not meet the level analysts have estimated.

Baidu reports a profit growth for Q1 2012, but revenue estimates for the next quarter are below expectations. (Photo: AP)

Baidu says its profits for first quarter 2012 rose 76% compared with Q1 2011 figures, and attributes this to a rise in consumer numbers. Likewise, revenue per customer has risen, contributing to the growth. The Beijing-based company’s net income for  the first quarter rose to US$ 299 million, which translates to US$ 0.85 per share. The quarterly revenue was at US$ 677.1 million.

Revenue per customer has also risen 49%, as Baidu says the number of its active online marketing customers has risen by 17% to 321,000 during the quarter.

However, second quarter revenues may not be as good as expected. While analysts have earlier estimated 2Q 2012 revenues at US$ 869.6 million, Baidu is not so optimistic, with an expected revenue of US$ 847 to 867 million, reports AP.

Baidu’s profit for the previous quarter also rose approximately the same level — 77% in Q4 2011, relative to the same period in 2010. Baidu dominates the search business in China, with a 78.3% market share, compared with Google’s 16.7%. Other search engines in the region include Tencent Soso, Sogou and other smaller competitors.

About author
J. Angelo Racoma is passionate about the enabling nature of technology in both emerging and established markets. A technology and automotive journalist with a keen eye for emerging standards, Angelo has written extensively about mobile, social media, enterprise apps and startups as senior writer for e27 and contributor to Android Authority. Angelo lives east of Manila and is looking to become better-immersed in the emerging tech startup scene in the Philippines. Follow @jangelo via Twitter for updates.

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