Google Inc’s spectacular surge headlines our new daily service

by Alec Hogg

Over the years I've learnt new product launches are best done quietly. That way you can test the innovation without adding unnecessary pressure. And should it bomb, as many do, it's so much easier to kill an idea when there isn't a cash or reputational investment to protect.

Our latest product slipped in quietly last week. Every day, before 8am, I upload News in 90 Seconds – you'll see the link top right of the Biznews home page. It's all you need to be the best informed person around the water cooler – or in the boardroom.

Friday morning's contribution focused on the US West Coast's spectacular reaction to the previous night's quarterlies from Google Inc. Later that day Google's market cap surged $65bn in New York, the biggest gain in value by any listed company ever. The 16% jump in its share price takes Google's total value to $470bn making it clearly the second most valuable company worldwide behind Apple Inc ($740bn).

At Biznews we're delighted for another reason. A chunky 15% of the Biznews Global Share portfolio is invested in Google stock. Friday's surge means it will be another upbeat webcast on Wednesday with the monthly feedback to clients of our partner Standard Bank Online Share Trading. Diarise to join us at lunchtime (12:30 on the 22nd).

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