Microsoft sales up 19% in Q4

Microsoft sales up 19% in Q4

Software giant Microsoft said today fourth quarter revenue rose 19% after demand for PCs boosted sales of its Windows products.

Revenue rose to $10.15bn (€7.95bn) in the three months to December from $8.54bn (€6.69bn) a year earlier.

"Consumer and corporate demand for PCs continued to exceed our expectations and resulted in solid double-digit revenue growth for Windows XP and Office products," said John Connors, chief financial officer

However, net income fell 17% to $1.55bn (€1.21bn) due to a change in its stock compensation plan.

Microsoft also reported a larger than expected drop in unearned revenue as more customers signed up for one time licences rather than longer-term corporate contracts.

Microsoft employs around 1,700 people in Ireland.