Microsoft reported better than expected earnings today because of brisk sales of its Windows 7 operating system during its first quarter of availability.
For Microsoft’s fiscal second quarter, which ended Dec. 31., the company reported revenues of $19.2 billion and earnings per share of 74 cents. Windows 7 launched in October and it has received more kudos and had better sales than its predecessor Windows Vista.
Analysts were expecting revenue of $17.84 billion and earnings of 59 cents per share, compared to $16.63 billion and 47 cents per share during the year-ago quarter. Microsoft’s solid performance confirms a recovery in the PC market, as evidenced by strong earnings from Intel, whose revenues were up 28 percent and earnings were up 875 percent from year ago figures. Advanced Micro Devices, which like Intel sells PC microprocessors, also made its first profit in 13 quarters in the fourth quarter.
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