Microsoft earns $6.56 billion for its fiscal second quarter; revenue from Surface doubles

Microsoft reported its fiscal second quarter earnings on Thursday, and nary a peep was made about Windows Phone. Microsoft did do some bragging about its Microsoft Surface tablet. For the three month period, sales of the slate more than doubled sequentially, from $400 million in the calendar third quarter to $893 million in the most recent three month period. The launch of the new Microsoft Surface 2, with vastly improved specs, was the key to the huge increase in revenue.

The Devices and Consumer group, which includes the Surface tablets, saw its revenue increase 13% to 11.91 billion. Overall, Microsoft reported a record $24.52 billion in revenue. Profits amounted to $6.56 billion, or 78 cents a share. Wall Street was expecting Microsoft to report earnings of 68 cents a share.

The company is still seeking a new CEO to replace the retiring Steve Ballmer. The search, now into its fifth month, will try to find a leader for Microsoft that can help the company try and close the gap between iOS, Android and Windows Phone.


source: CNBC, Pocketlint