January is all about juicy financial details, numbers and statistics that unquestionably float up from corporations around the world as they announce their financial results, not just for the last quarter of the year but the full year details too.
Like several other technology companies earlier in the day, Microsoft has also released its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012. This actually is the company’s third quarter of its 2013 fiscal year, by the way. But the results are interesting, all the same.
Microsoft’s overall revenue for the quarter stood at $21.46 billion, with a net profit of $6.38 billion.
The company has put up a press release on its official site, breaking down the numbers. One thing missing from the press release are Surface sales figures. CEO Steve Ballmer, however, had this to say:
“Our big, bold ambition to reimagine Windows as well as launch Surface and Windows Phone 8 has sparked growing enthusiasm with our customers and unprecedented opportunity and creativity with our partners and developers, With new Windows devices, including Surface Pro, and the new Office on the horizon, we’ll continue to drive excitement for the Windows ecosystem and deliver our software through devices and services people love and businesses need.”
So then, onto some details! According to Microsoft, Windows division had revenue of $5.9 billion, which is 24 percent up from the same period last year — a figure that is, no doubt, helped in no small amount by the release of Windows 8.
Redmond’s Business division, on the other hand had mellow news, with revenues of $5.691 billion, nearly 10 percent down from what was recorded in the same quarter a year ago.
Same was the case for Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division, which reported takings of $3.772 billion. These are down 11 percent from the same period last year. Microsoft’s Xbox business is part of this division, and these are clear signs that a refresh is needed — one that is set to arrive this year.
A conference call is scheduled for later in the day, which should bring about more information on the technology giant’s health (as in its current financial state). Fingers crossed, Microsoft throws a bone or two when it comes to Surface numbers as well.
Either way, we will keep you posted.
