Microsoft Profits, Revenues Up Strongly : NPR

Microsoft Profits, Revenues Up Strongly : NPR

Microsoft Corp. said Thursday that its net income in the latest quarter rose 51 percent, boosted by higher sales of Windows and Office software to businesses.

In last year's quarter, Microsoft deferred some revenue from Windows sales. Had it not done so, net income would have been only 16 percent higher this year in comparison.

For the fiscal first quarter, which ended in September, net income rose to $5.4 billion, or 62 cents per share, from $3.6 million, or 40 cents per share, in the same period last year.

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Revenue increased 25 percent to $16.2 billion, from $12.9 billion a year ago.

Microsoft beat Wall Street's expectations on both counts. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had forecast net income of 55 cents per share on $15.8 billion in revenue.

Microsoft said the increase in sales to businesses of the newest versions of its Windows operating system, Office programs and server software made up for softer-than-expected revenue from consumer PC buying in the quarter.

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Apple sales top $20 billion in fiscal fourth quarter | BappProducts | MacUser | Macworld

Apple sales top $20 billion in fiscal fourth quarter | BappProducts | MacUser | Macworld

Macworld reported the following story today:

Apple on Monday reported record revenue and earnings for its fiscal fourth quarter, thanks to

strong sales of Macs, iPhones, and iPads.

The company reported a quarterly profit of $4.31 billion for the three months ended Sept. 25., with revenue of $20.34 billion. That compares to a $2.53 billion profit on sales of $12.21 billion for the same period last year.

Appleʼs earnings of $4.64 per diluted share handily beat estimates by Wall Street analysts who were expecting the company to report earnings of $4.06 a share on $18.86 billion in revenue for September quarter.

“We still have a few surprises left for the remainder of the calendar year,” said CEO Steve Jobs in a statement accompanying the earnings. Apple has scheduled a press event for this Wednesday where the company is expected to focus on the Mac.

During the quarter, Apple says it sold 4.19 million iPads; it was the companyʼs first full quarter of iPad sales. Apple also sold 14.1 million iPhones, fueled by the launch of the iPhone 4. By comparison, Apple says smartphone rival Research In Motion sold 12.1 million phones during its most recent quarter.

As for Mac sales, Apple sold 3.89 million computer, up 27 percent from its year-ago sales. Thatʼs a new record for Mac sales topping the 3.47 million mark the company set during the June quarter.

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