Microsoft Reports Record Profits: Robust demand for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system drives 72% growth in earnings per share

 Juggernaut mode...

Microsoft Corp. today announced revenue of $14.40 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, a 32% increase over the same period of the prior year. 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.

Interesting contrast to Apple's Q2 2007 announcement (yesterday):

Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2007 second quarter ended March 31, 2007. The Company posted revenue of $5.26 billion and net quarterly profit of $770 million, or $.87 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $4.36 billion and net quarterly profit of $410 million, or $.47 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 35.1 percent, up from 29.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

If Apple keeps up this kind of growth, its quarterly revenue might even surpass Microsoft's quarterly operating income soon.

Source: Microsoft Reports Record Profits: Robust demand for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system drives 72% growth in earnings per share