Microsoft profit ahead of forecasts on Xbox sales

MICROSOFT, the world’s largest software maker, posted a second-quarter profit that surpassed analysts’ estimates on sales of its Xbox 360 game console and Windows programs for personal computers.

Net income in the period ended December 31 rose 79% to $4.71 billion (€3.19bn), or 50 cents a share, from $2.63bn, or 26c, a year earlier, the company said last night. That beat the 46 cent average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales climbed 30% to $16.4bn.

Microsoft has had operations in Ireland since 1985 and employs 1,200 full-time staff and 700 vendor staff.