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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Microsoft sees 60% jump in profit | Microsoft sees 60% jump in profit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Microsoft has reported a 60% jump in profit, thanks largely to "exceptional demand" for Windows 7. | Microsoft has reported a 60% jump in profit, thanks largely to "exceptional demand" for Windows 7. |
| Net profit came in at $6.66bn (£4.13bn) for the three months to 31 December 2009, up from the $4.18bn it made in the same period a year earlier. | Net profit came in at $6.66bn (£4.13bn) for the three months to 31 December 2009, up from the $4.18bn it made in the same period a year earlier. |
| It also reported record revenues of $19.2bn, which comfortably beat analysts' forecasts. | It also reported record revenues of $19.2bn, which comfortably beat analysts' forecasts. |
| "We are thrilled by the consumer reception to Windows 7," said Kevin Turner, chief operating officer. | "We are thrilled by the consumer reception to Windows 7," said Kevin Turner, chief operating officer. |
| "This is a record quarter for Windows units." | "This is a record quarter for Windows units." |
| Microsoft released Windows 7 in October last year. | Microsoft released Windows 7 in October last year. |
| 'Outstanding' | 'Outstanding' |
| Windows 7 has proved to be Microsoft's best-selling operating system to date after the disappointing Vista. | |
| The online business came in line and the only business shy of expectations was Xbox Brendan Barnicle, Pacific Crest Securities Strong festive trading at Amazon | |
| Microsoft was helped by a rebound in personal computer sales in the run-up to Christmas. | Microsoft was helped by a rebound in personal computer sales in the run-up to Christmas. |
| The company's results are closely tied to computer sales because its two most profitable divisions make the Windows Operating System and Office business software. | |
| "These are outstanding numbers," said Brendan Barnicle from Pacific Crest Securities. | "These are outstanding numbers," said Brendan Barnicle from Pacific Crest Securities. |
| "The upside was in the Windows business and service and tools, and Office business. The online business came in line and the only business shy of expectations was Xbox." | "The upside was in the Windows business and service and tools, and Office business. The online business came in line and the only business shy of expectations was Xbox." |
| Shares in Microsoft rose 25 cents, or 0.9%, to $29.41 in after-hours trading. | Shares in Microsoft rose 25 cents, or 0.9%, to $29.41 in after-hours trading. |
| Reporting season | |
| The company did not make any specific profit or sales forecasts, after making the decision to stop doing so in January 2009, citing market volatility. | |
| Microsoft is the latest technology company to report earnings results. | |
| Yahoo and Apple both announced higher profits earlier this week, while Google reported strong figures last week. | |
| However, Nintendo saw a near 10% fall in profits after a slowdown in sales of its Wii games console. |