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I keep hearing so much about how Linux is slowly killing Windows, but it never seems to be based in the world we live in. Urban Ranger, what's going on? Why are Windows server sales increasing if Linux is taking over?
Servers and Xbox boost Microsoft's revenues
And more to come, claims company
By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG news service
Microsoft posted solid growth for its fourth quarter, highlighted by sales of server software. Revenue for the period ended 30 June was US$10.2 billion, a 9 percent increase over the same period last year, when Microsoft brought in $9.3 billion.
Net income for the period was $3.7 billion, or $0.34 per share. This compares to net income of $2.69 billion, and $0.25 per share for the year-ago quarter, an amount that included a $0.02 tax benefit.
Microsoft attributed its quarterly revenue growth to strength in its server and tools business, as well as rapid customer adoption of its database, SQL Server, which the company said had sales growth of 16 percent compared to the third quarter of this year.
Strong sales of the vendor's Xbox electronic game console also contributed to 22 percent growth for Microsoft's Home and Entertainment division, according to a press statement.
For the year, Microsoft had revenue of $39.8 billion, an 8 percent increase over the $36.8 billion reported last year. Net income for 2005 was $12.3 billion, or earnings per share of $1.12, which included legal charges of $0.13 and tax benefits of $0.09.
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said that all global geographic segments experienced double-digit revenue growth except for Japan, which continues to grow more slowly than other parts of the world, with growth rates in the low single digits.
In terms of business segments, Microsoft's mobile products division experienced some of the most significant growth, with sales up 43 percent sequentially for the fourth quarter, Liddell said. For the year, license revenue for smart phones and mobile devices experienced 130 percent growth from 2004, he added.
Liddell said that a strong PC market also contributed significantly to Microsoft's revenue and earnings for the year, with PC client revenue growth of 10 percent and OEM revenue growth of 14 percent over last year.
The year ahead also should show strong revenue growth, Liddell said, noting some factors that will contribute to Microsoft's earnings pattern over the next six months.
Microsoft has some significant product releases scheduled for 2006 and in particular its second fiscal quarter, including the SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and Xbox 360 launches, Liddell said. Microsoft expects revenue to jump in that quarter based on the release of these products, which should contribute to long-term growth, he said.
"2006 will be an important year for us," Liddell said. "We believe we're making the right investments for the future."
However, operating expenses will be higher during the first quarter leading up to those launches because of marketing activities in preparation for the rollout of the new products, he said. At the same time, revenue for the server and tools division and the Home and Entertainment Division will fall off slightly as customers wait for new releases, Liddell added
And more to come, claims company
By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG news service
Microsoft posted solid growth for its fourth quarter, highlighted by sales of server software. Revenue for the period ended 30 June was US$10.2 billion, a 9 percent increase over the same period last year, when Microsoft brought in $9.3 billion.
Net income for the period was $3.7 billion, or $0.34 per share. This compares to net income of $2.69 billion, and $0.25 per share for the year-ago quarter, an amount that included a $0.02 tax benefit.
Microsoft attributed its quarterly revenue growth to strength in its server and tools business, as well as rapid customer adoption of its database, SQL Server, which the company said had sales growth of 16 percent compared to the third quarter of this year.
Strong sales of the vendor's Xbox electronic game console also contributed to 22 percent growth for Microsoft's Home and Entertainment division, according to a press statement.
For the year, Microsoft had revenue of $39.8 billion, an 8 percent increase over the $36.8 billion reported last year. Net income for 2005 was $12.3 billion, or earnings per share of $1.12, which included legal charges of $0.13 and tax benefits of $0.09.
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said that all global geographic segments experienced double-digit revenue growth except for Japan, which continues to grow more slowly than other parts of the world, with growth rates in the low single digits.
In terms of business segments, Microsoft's mobile products division experienced some of the most significant growth, with sales up 43 percent sequentially for the fourth quarter, Liddell said. For the year, license revenue for smart phones and mobile devices experienced 130 percent growth from 2004, he added.
Liddell said that a strong PC market also contributed significantly to Microsoft's revenue and earnings for the year, with PC client revenue growth of 10 percent and OEM revenue growth of 14 percent over last year.
The year ahead also should show strong revenue growth, Liddell said, noting some factors that will contribute to Microsoft's earnings pattern over the next six months.
Microsoft has some significant product releases scheduled for 2006 and in particular its second fiscal quarter, including the SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and Xbox 360 launches, Liddell said. Microsoft expects revenue to jump in that quarter based on the release of these products, which should contribute to long-term growth, he said.
"2006 will be an important year for us," Liddell said. "We believe we're making the right investments for the future."
However, operating expenses will be higher during the first quarter leading up to those launches because of marketing activities in preparation for the rollout of the new products, he said. At the same time, revenue for the server and tools division and the Home and Entertainment Division will fall off slightly as customers wait for new releases, Liddell added
@ Frankychan
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