San Francisco (AFP) – Google parent Alphabet on Monday reported that its quarterly profit soared more than 70 percent from a year to $9.4 billion in an earnings report well above forecasts.

Revenue at the California-based internet giant during the first three months of this year was $31 billion, up 26 percent from the same period last year.

“We have a clear set of exciting opportunities ahead, and our strong growth enables us to invest in them with confidence,” Alphabet chief financial officer Ruth Porat said in an earnings release.