Microsoft posts record revenue

SAN FRANCISCO: US technology giant Microsoft said on Thursday
its annual profit soared on record revenue, thanks in part to hot
demand for its Xbox 360 videogame console gear and online network.

Microsoft reported its net income surged 23 per cent to US$23.15
billion (RM66.90 billion) on record high revenue of US$69.94 billion
(RM202.13 billion) in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The
annual results came with word that Microsoft posted profit of US$5.87
billion (RM16.96 billion) on record revenue of US$17.37 billion (RM50.19
billion) in the fiscal fourth quarter that ended June 30.


"Throughout fiscal 2011, we delivered to market a strong lineup of
products and services which translated into double-digit revenue
growth, and operating margin expansion," said Microsoft chief financial
officer Peter Klein.




Microsoft Business Division revenue grew 16 per cent for the year,
with the Redmond, Washington-based company selling more than 100
million licences for the latest version of its Office software.

"We continue to see strong business demand across all our products,
from small businesses all the way up to the largest global
enterprises," said Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner.

Businesses recovering from the economic meltdown of two years ago
continued to spend money replacing or upgrading computer gear, while
consumer spending outside the workplace remained soft.


Microsoft said its online services unit saw revenue climb 15 per cent
during the year, primarily driven by gains in income from Internet
search. - AFP