Microsoft to create 5,000 new jobs

Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), has announced that it will increase proposed R&D spending, leading to the creation of 5,000 new jobs worldwide.

The company, which employs around 1,800 in its Irish operations, already announced 100 new jobs here in May when it moved to its new offices in Sandyford.

However, it is yet uncertain, how many extra jobs will be created in Ireland.

Microsoft announced a 27% increase in its year-on-year profits for last quarter, beating analysts' expectations.

The company, which is the world's largest software manufacturer, continues to do well, despite the current decline in the IT sector.

Analysts' remain very keen to see what will happen to the company as Sun Microsystems recently launched StarOffice 6.0, aimed at competing with Microsoft's Office Suite.

So far, the company seems very comfortable as it reported that its 10% increase in its revenues during the last quarter was driven by sales of its new Microsoft XP products.

Its share price was up 6% following the announcement.