Yahoo on Tuesday reported profits surged to 542 million dollars in the first three months of the year and regenerated promises to stockholders that the shinning US firm is bound for richer times. The full-bodied earnings report includes 401 million dollars the internet giant took in, from an initial stock offering by Chinese internet firm Alibaba, in which it has a gage.

If the one-time inflow of Alibaba cash is recouped, Yahoo’s earnings are minor and far short of the blockbuster performance analysts believe is needed to stand off Microsoft’s effort to acquire the Internet group.