Microsoft reported revenue of USD 20.49 billion for its third fiscal quarter to 31 March, up 18 percent on USD 17.41 billion in the year-earlier period. Operating income grew by 19 percent to USD 7.61 billion from USD 6.37 billion. Net income reached USD 6.06 billion, compared with USD 5.11 billion a year earlier. EPS increased by 20 percent to USD 0.72 from USD 0.60.
The Microsoft Business Division increased sales by 8 percent to USD 6.32 billion during the quarter, which saw the launch of the new Office suite.
The Server & Tools business reported revenues up 11 percent to USD 5.04 billion, driven by double-digit percentage growth in the SQL Server and System Center.
The Windows division posted revenues up 23 percent to USD 5.7 billion. The Online Services division increased its revenues by 18 percent to USD 832 million, including online advertising revenues up 22 percent driven by an increase in revenue per search.
Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division increased its revenues by 56 percent to USD 2.53 billion. Xbox Live’s members grew by 18 percent year-on-year to over 46 million worldwide.
Microsoft has revised its operating expense guidance downward to adjust for a European Commission fine to an expected USD 30.2 billion to USD 30.5 billion for the full year to June. Its preliminary guidance for operating expenses for fiscal 2014 is USD 31.6 billion to USD 32.2 billion.
The group announced that its CFO, Peter Klein, will leave the company at the end of the fiscal year after nearly four years in the role and 11 years at the company. Microsoft will name a new CFO from its finance leadership team in the next several weeks.
