Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has reported record third quarter earnings off the back of increasing sales of operating system Windows 7.
Microsoft booked a record $14.50 billion in earnings for the quarter to March 31, up 6% from the same quarter of 2009. Operating income came in at $5.17 billion, net income at $4.01 billion earnings per share at $0.45, up 17%, 35% and 36%, respectively over the same quarter of 09.
The quarter was around, or slightly ahead of market expectations of $0.42-$0.45 a share.
Microsoft has thrown off the failure of Vista before it, with Windows 7 sales driving OS revenue up 28%. Microsoft notes that 10% of all PC’s worldwide now run Windows 7, leaving the door open for further growth in sales as corporate IT departments make the switch.
Following a stellar result from Apple earlier in the week, the market wasn’t particularly excited by the MSFT earnings, with shares dropping 3.54% to $30.24 in after hours trading.
