Microsoft saw its revenue increase by 6pc since last year in the quarter ending 31 March, reaching US$17.41bn. Its operating income was up 12pc from the same period last year.
Its net income reached US$5.11bn, down from US$5.23bn in the same period last year. Its diluted earnings per share were US$0.60 per share, down from US$0.61 per share in the same quarter last year. However, Microsoft noted that during the prior period last year, net income and earnings per share included a US$461m and US$0.05 share tax benefit due to a tax settlement with the US Internal Revenue Service.
Its server and tools business saw US$4.57bn in revenue, a 14pc rise from last year. This was driven by double-digit growth of its SQL Server and more than 20pc growth in system centre revenue.
Microsoft’s business division saw a 9pc increase from last year, rising to US$5.81bn due to continued demand for Office 2010 for businesses and consumers.
Its Windows and Windows Live division experienced a 4pc increase in revenue to US$4.62bn. There was also ‘strong’ Windows 7 adoption and there are now up to 40pc of enterprise desktops on Windows worldwide.
Microsoft’s online services division revenue increased by 6pc, reaching US$707m. However, its entertainment and devices division’s revenue decreased by 16pc due to a ‘soft gaming console market.’ Microsoft emphasised that the Xbox 360 was still the top selling console in the US for the 15th consecutive month.
“We’re driving toward exciting launches across the entire company, while delivering strong financial results,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft.
“With the upcoming release of new Windows 8 PCs and tablets, the next version of Office, and a wide array of products and services for the enterprise and consumers, we will be delivering exceptional value to all our customers in the year ahead,” he said.
For the future, Microsoft said it is revising its operating expense guidance downward, offering a range of US$28.3bn to US$28.7bn for the full year ending 30 June 2012.
