tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105050012011-04-21T22:15:53.419-07:00mazafakahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039296850043238105noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10505001.post-1107102312847991422005-01-30T08:24:00.000-08:002005-01-30T08:25:12.846-08:00It said that earnings were boosted by demand for personal computers that run its Windows operating system and its Xbox video game console. <br />Microsoft also cut costs stemming from its stock-related salary scheme. <br />Net profit was $3.46bn (£1.8bn) in the three months to 31 December, compared with $1.55bn from a year earlier. Sales were $10.82bn. <br />Microsoft's shares rose 1.7% during after hours electronic trading in New York after the company raised its outlook for the current fiscal year. <br />Gaming audience <br />Microsoft said it has benefited from the release of the much anticipated Halo 2 game on the X-box. <br />That helped give its home and entertainment division its first profitable quarter. Operating profit was $84m, compared with a loss of $397m in the same period a year earlier. <br />Chief Financial Officer John Connors said that the division would be unprofitable in the first six months of 2005, and probably will not post a steady profit until the second half of 2006. <br />Microsoft's server and tools division did well during the three months ending 31 December, with operating profit up at $2.52bn from $2.15bn. <br />"The personal computer environment is actually quite healthy," Mr Connors said, adding that large firms were spending more on software for servers, or networked computers. <br />"Home and entertainment was also a highlight for us," he continued. <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/10505001-110710231284799142?l=maturedx.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>mazafakahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039296850043238105noreply@blogger.com3