Net Hopes Hang on Google

And now, for a change, some good news about the Internet.

Or at least that's how the stock market is feeling as search giant Google (GOOG) gets ready to post its third-quarter earnings later Thursday.

After Yahoo! reported a weaker profit and shrinking revenue growth on Tuesday, and eBay chronicled its valiant but less-than-inspiring quarter on Wednesday, the anticipated strong showing by Google may be just the tonic that Internet investors need.

Analysts are expecting big numbers from Google -- like $2.42 a share in profit for the quarter, up massively from $1.36 a share in the year-ago period and above $2.22 a share in this year's second quarter. ...