Microsoft sales top predictions

MICROSOFT, the world’s largest software maker, reported first-quarter sales that topped analysts’ predictions as companies invested in Office and server software, outweighing poor demand for computers.

Sales rose 7.3% to $17.4 billion, (€12.62bn)compared with Bloomberg’s $17.2bn estimate. Net income in the period that ended in September rose 6.1% to $5.74bn, or 68 cents a share, from $5.41bn, or 62c, a year earlier, Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said in a statement today, beating the 68c Bloomberg estimate.

Corporate customers are buying Office software as well as Windows and database software for their networks. Microsoft is also benefiting from the revenue that comes from multiyear contracts sold to businesses.