Microsoft confounds analysts with soar-away quarter

Bill just got a whole lot richer...

By Joe Wilcox, 18 October 2002 09:05

NEWS Microsoft blew away analysts' estimates for its first fiscal quarter, once again buoyed in part by a controversial corporate licensing plan. The software giant reported net earnings of $2.73bn, or 50 cents per share for the quarter, ended 30 September, compared with $1.28bn, or 23 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue grew 26 per cent to $7.75bn, from $6.13bn in the same period last year. Sequentially, sales jumped from $7.25bn in the fourth fiscal quarter. Microsoft took a $291m charge to cover investment impairment, which affected results by five cents per share. A consensus of analysts polled by First Call anticipated earnings of 43 cents per share. In July, Microsoft projected revenue between $7bn and $7.1bn, with earnings of around 41 cents to 42 cents per share for the quarter. Joe Wilcox writes for News.com

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

Log in or create your silicon.com account below

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Membership FAQ