The Only Way That Google Inc (GOOG) Could Go Is Up: Apple Inc. (AAPL), Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK)

There has been a lot of debate as to whether Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s share price will continue trending upward moving forward. Pundits have clearly been divided over the issue, with some of them arguing for the idea and some of them arguing against it. The latter contend that Google will ultimately go the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) way, up then down. At first, I was inclined to believe that the argument against Google’s continued upward trajectory held weight. Nonetheless, a further probe has led me in the opposite direction; the only way that Google could go is up.

In order to put this argument into perspective, it is important to take a look at Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) a year ago. At the onset of 2012, its stock was trading at around $600. As of this writing however, it is trading at around $800, a 30 percent year over year gain. The fact that the stock has gained so much in just over a year suggests that something was holding investors back in 2012 and 2011. After taking a skewed look at the industry at large, I came to the conclusion that investors were not sure about mobile monetization in 2012 and 2011.

Google’s share price gain coincides with notable improvement in mobile monetization. Figures from the tech titan’s recent earnings report show that its annual mobile run-rate increased to $8 billion in Q3 fiscal 2012 from $2.5 billion a year earlier. This increase not only signals a 220 percent gain but it also tells a story of a company that is pushing beyond its limits as far as mobile monetization is concerned.

Android market share a good sign for future mobile monetization efforts

In as much as Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has gained with regard to mobile monetization, I am disposed to believe that it can do a lot to improve. In fact, this seemingly huge gain in mobile monetization may be the onset of a lasting trend.

Why do I say this? All along, Google has used Android to latch onto the mobile revolution. Unlike its core competitor Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), which primarily depends on actual device sales, Google depends on sales from different handset makers- from HTC to Samsung, the list is populous.

This approach has allowed its Android platform to secure a bigger market share in the global market relative to Apple’s iOS.

The chart below offers deeper insight