MS Q3 2008 Results

Microsoft today announced that its latest fiscal quarter earned the company approximately $14.5 billion, or 47 cents per share. The revenue is not a record for the company but is credited in part to the surprising success of the company's Entertainment and Devices Division. Strong sales of the Xbox 360 console helped jump the division's revenue by 68 percent versus the same period a year ago, according to the company. About 19 million examples game system and media hub have now shipped since it launched in November 2005, or about 74 percent more than in early 2007.

The Xbox has seen recurring shortages in the early part of 2008 after Microsoft underestimated demand for the device after the holidays.

The Entertainment and Devices group also includes the Zune, though its unit and revenue sales aren't mentioned in the financial report. Growth in most other divisions of the company is also unmentioned; in software, the company primarily touts the release of Windows Server 2008, as well as companion SQL Server and Visual Studio apps, as contributing to an 18 percent year-over-year growth in the Server and Tools group. Vista sales are notably absent.

Microsoft also says it took the short-term but significant impact of a $1.4 billion European Commission fine during the quarter for allegedly failing to properly document and support some aspects of Windows and Office.

By Electronista Staff

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industry, Zune, Microsoft, Xbox 360