Google-owner Alphabet saw profits rise almost 73 percent over the past three months, aided by price hikes for their adverts and currency movements.

First-quarter net income rose to $9.4 billion, up from $5.4 billion in the same period last year, beating analyst expectations. Revenue also jumped, rising 26 percent to $31.1 billion.

The group seemed to shrug off an increased scrutiny of its privacy protection, with an increased interest in their pay-per-click advertising over the period. Prices for their adverts rose, as advertisers continued to fight for space on their search engine, YouTube video service and millions of partner apps and websites.

Worldwide ad sales increased to $31.1 billion, well above the average analysts’ estimate of $30.3 billion.

Alphabet was also aided by a $3 billion boost from accounting rules chances, as well as $1.1 billion from currency exchange movements.

Company shares jumped in after hours trading after the news was announced, but have since dropped again.