Google "buy"

06/30/06 - Stifel Nicolaus

NEW YORK, June 30 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Stifel Nicolaus & Company maintain their "buy" rating on Google Inc (GOOG). The target price is set to $500.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company has launched GoogleCheckout, which is a payment processing service offering a smooth checkout process and integration with advertising. Google's service is broadly competitive with Amazon and eBay’s PayPal, the analysts say. The merchant discounts offered by the company on this service are expected to result in market share gains, Stifel Nicolaus & Company adds.