“The software giant and PC industry bellwether reported
earnings of 43 cents, or $2.3 billion, on revenues of $5.66
billion. This is up 23 percent compared with the same period last
year, when Microsoft reported 35 cents per share and $4.6 billion
in revenue.”
“The consensus of analysts polled by First Call expected the
software maker to report earnings of 41 cents per share for
its third fiscal quarter. The “whisper number,” an unofficial,
informal estimate, was 45 cents per share.“
“Microsoft confirmed analyst speculation that sales to the
corporate sector are slowing, with chief financial officer John
Conners noting that demand for corporate PCs has “remained slow in
the quarter.” Microsoft’s most profitable products, notably Windows
2000, are targeted at the corporate market.”
