Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), the world's largest software maker, is scheduled to release its fiscal fourth quarter earnings after the closing bell on Thursday, July 22, 2010. Analysts, on average, expect the company to report earnings of 46 cents a share on revenue of $15.25 billion. In the year ago period, the company posted earnings of 36 cents per share on revenue of $13.10 billion.
Microsoft Corporation develops, manufactures and supportes a range of software products and services for different types of computing devices. It has five business segments: Client, Server and Tools, Online Services Business, Microsoft Business Division, and Entertainment and Devices Division.
In the preceding fiscal third quarter, the Redmond, Washington-based company's net income climbed to $4.01 billion, or 45 cents a share, from $2.98 billion, or 33 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue grew 6% to $14.5 billion. Analysts, on average, expected the company to report earnings of 42 cents a share on revenue of $14.4 billion.
It appears that the long-awaited corporate PC refresh cycle has finally gained traction. Worldwide computer shipments reached 82.9 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 20.7 per cent increase compared to the year-ago period, according market researchfirm Gartner Inc. Industry expert believe that the Microsoft will be one of the biggest beneficiary of a strong refresh cycle among commercial customers.
Microsoft has continued to make steady gains in the U.S. Internet search market. Its overall share jumped 7% in June compared to the prior month, according to data published by Experian Hitwise
Meanwhile, the company's mobile strategy has continued to flounder. Recently, Microsoft halted the sales of its social networking-focused smarthphone Kin, less than two months after the device went on sale. Microsoft's US smartphone market share dropped nearly 2% to 13.2% between February and May, according to research firm comScore.
Among other developments, Microsoft launched Kinect for Xbox, a game technology with controller-free games and entertainment, at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo video-game trade show. The technology will be launched in North America on November 4.
In terms of stock performance, Microsoft shares have lost more than 19 percent since the beginning of the year. Late in May, longime rival Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) surpassed Microsoft Corp. as the world's largest technology company by market value.
Disclosure: Author doesn't own any of the stocks discussed here.
