The American software giant Microsoft reported on Friday that it achieved record-high revenues in the first quarter of this year, thanks to strong sales of the Windows 7 operating system.
In the three months ending March 31, the company recorded a 35 percent increase in net profit to $4.01 billion. Revenues simultaneously soared to a record $14.5 billion, which was šix percent higher than in the same period last year."Windows 7 continues to be the strongest driver of growth, but strong growth was also recorded in other areas, including the Bing search software, Xbox Live, and our new software rental services," stated Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein."Record strong revenue growth in the third quarter, combined with continued strict cost-cutting measures, resulted in exceptional earnings per share growth," he added.
The company announced that its revenues from Windows operating system sales increased by 28 percent compared to the same period last year, driven by strong demand for the latest version of Windows 7."Our business customers are beginning to refresh their computers, and strong demand for the Windows 7 operating system continues," said Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner. Microsoft launched Windows 7 in October. The company’s operating systems are installed on over 90 percent of computers worldwide, with Windows 7 accounting for over 10 percent, making it the best-selling Windows operating system in the company’s history. (H)
