Microsoft posts 32% increase in revenue

2007 turning out to be a good year for business

27 April 2007 8:30 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Microsoft has followed the pack by reporting record profits so far this year.

Following hot on the heals of big gains from Apple, Amazon, Nintendo and Google the software company has said that robust demand for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system has driven 72% growth in earnings per share so far this year.

Overall and Microsoft has increased its revenue by 32% on the same period last year and is reporting revenues of $14.40 billion.

This revenue drove record profits with operating income of $6.59 billion and net income of $4.93 billion. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter grew 72% to $0.50, and included $0.02 in tax benefits and $0.01 in legal charges.

These results reflect $1.67 billion of revenue and operating income, $1.14 billion of net income and $0.12 of diluted earnings per share that were previously deferred primarily related to the technology guarantee programs for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office release.

Microsoft is expecting revenues for the next quarter to be in the range of $13.1 billion to $13.4 billion.