Pérdidas millonarias de MS. Xbox is teh d00m3d!!1!

Microsoft Profit, Sales Up, Shares Rise
REDMOND, Wash. (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O on Thursday reported its first-quarter net profit more than doubled, topping even the most optimistic forecasts, as revenues surged on its new licensing plan and reseller sales.

Microsoft's shares soared in after-hours trade following the release of results, trading at $53.20, up from a close of $50.77 on the Nasdaq.

For the first fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, the world's largest software company said its net profit was $2.73 billion, or 50 cents per share, up from $1.28 billion, or 23 cents per share, a year earlier when it took a charge of 20 cents per share on investment impairments.

The Redmond, Washington-based company three months ago had forecast a net profit of 42 cents or 43 cents per share.

"Results for the first quarter were exceptionally strong, exceeding our expectations. During the quarter, we saw broader customer adoption of our licensing programs than we anticipated, as customers recognized the value of entering into long-term licensing agreements for our products," said John Connors, Microsoft's chief financial officer.

Revenue was $7.75 billion, better than Microsoft's own expectations for between $7.0 billion and $7.1 billion and compared to $6.13 billion a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were calling for a profit of 43 cents per share. The top end of analysts' estimates was 46 cents a share.

Microsoft raised its full year revenue and earnings guidance based on the first-quarter results.

Microsoft's strong results come at a time when a slowdown on technology spending by companies is weighing on profits and hi-tech shares.

The boost came from a new subscription-style program that encourages customers to pay yearly fees for the most up-to-date software, instead of deciding whether to upgrade to a new version of Windows, Office, or other Microsoft programs.

The moves by the muscular software company has sparked complaints among customers, some who will end up paying more for software.

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer has admitted that the new licensing plan upset some customers, especially during a time of "hardship."

For the December quarter, Microsoft said it expects earnings per share of 45 cents or 46 cents on projected revenue of between $8.5 billion and $8.6 billion.

For the full fiscal year to June 2003, Microsoft said it expects revenue to be in the range of $32.2 billion and $32.6 billion and earnings per share is expected to be between $1.89 and $1.95.