Microsoft profits slip to 4.41 billion dollars but beat estimates
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Microsoft reported that its profits slipped to 4.38 billion dollars in the first three months of the year despite revenues rising slightly to 14.45 billion dollars.
The world's biggest software company reported earnings of 47 cents per share -- topping financial analysts' predictions by two cents but lower than the 50 cents per share, or 4.93 billion dollars, posted in the same quarter a year earlier.
Detracting from the US software giant's profits in its third financial quarter was 1.42 billion paid for a fine by the European Commission in an antitrust case against the maker of the ubiquitous Windows operating system.
"Our third-quarter results demonstrate the benefit of our diversified business model," said Microsoft chief financial officer Chris Liddell.
"Our broad span across geographies, product categories and customer segments is a tremendous asset and supports our outlook for double-digit revenue, operating income and earnings per share growth for this fiscal year and also for fiscal year 2009."
Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game consoles were among the company's better performers, with sales growing 68 percent as compared with the same period last year.
"The breadth of our product offerings and our ability to provide solutions across a range of customer and partner needs paid off again this quarter," said Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner.
Microsoft said it expects revenues in the current quarter to range from 15.5 to 15.8 billion and profits to be from 45 to 48 cents per share.
