Business News

Microsoft's profits rise 16 per cent

Apr 28, 2006, 3:20 GMT

Seattle - Strong sales of its Xbox 360 video game console and database software saw Microsoft on Thursday report a 16 per cent rise in profits and a 13 per cent rise in revenues.

But the results fell short of Wall Street expectations and shares of the software giant slid some 4 per cent in after-hours trading as Microsoft predicted revenue for the fiscal year of around 49.5 billion dollars to 50.5 billion dollars.

The world's largest software maker said its net profit in the fiscal third quarter was 2.98 billion dollars, or 29 cents per share, compared to 2.56 billion dollars, or 28 cents per diluted share, a year earlier. Revenue was up 13 per cent to 10.9 billion dollars, just under the 11.04 billion dollars predicted by analysts.

The Xbox 360 and SQL database software are the first products in a wave of new offerings that Microsoft hopes will invigorate its performance next year. The new products include updated versions of both Microsoft's flagship products Windows and Office, which are both due out in January 2007.

© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur


COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Business

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Peter Andre ready to move on

Peter Andre ready to move on
Peter Andre is finally ready to move on from ex-wife Katie Price and wonders if he has already met the person he is 'supposed' to marry. ... more

Prince William's tribute to role model Queen

Prince Williams tribute to role model Queen
Britain's Prince William has paid tribute to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth for being an 'incredible role model'. ... more

Mariah Carey's sister wants reconciliation

Mariah Careys sister wants reconciliation
Mariah Carey's estranged sister Alison is desperate to mend her rift with the singer and meet the star's twins Moroccan and Monroe for the first time. ... more

Robin Gibb had kidney failure

Robin Gibb had kidney failure
Robin Gibb's son RJ says the Bee Gees singer's death was caused by kidney and liver failure, ... more

Matthew Morrison's sexy meals

Matthew Morrisons sexy meals
Matthew Morrison thinks cooking is 'sexy' and loves sharing candlelit dinners with his girlfriend Renee Puente. ... more

Apl.de.Ap praises 'beautiful' Cheryl

Apl.de.Ap praises beautiful Cheryl
Black Eyed Peas star Apl.de.Ap thinks Cheryl Cole is a 'beautiful' woman. ... more

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids
Britain's Queen Elizabeth loves to share a laugh with her grandchildren and find out about their lives outside of their royal duties. ... more

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley
David Hasselhoff wants to buy his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts a bar which he will call the Hoff & Hounds. ... more

Gavin Rossdale refuses to speak to ex after DNA test

Gavin Rossdale refuses to speak to ex after DNA test
Gavin Rossdale has refused to speak to Pearl Lowe since she allowed their daughter Daisy to take a DNA test which revealed he is her father. ... more

Gary Barlow's odd queen meetings

Gary Barlows odd queen meetings
Gary Barlow does find meeting Britain's Queen Elizabeth is 'really odd' because it can be 'relaxing'. ... more