Microsoft has posted a bigger-than-expected quarterly profit, boosted by strong sales of its Office software to businesses, a solid Christmas for its new Xbox games console and Surface tablets, and a slightly lower tax bill.
"It's a good print to ride off into the sunset with, for the current CEO," said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Financial. "There's still the over-arching question for this company: who's going to be the new CEO, and what direction they take."
Microsoft reported a fiscal second-quarter profit of $6.56bn (£3.94bn), or 78 cents per share, compared with $6.38bn, or 76 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.
That easily beat Wall Street's average estimate of 68 cents, according to Thomson Reuters.
Microsoft shares jumped 3.4pc in after-hours trading.
Overall sales rose 14pc to $24.5bn, helped by higher sales of Office, its Xbox games console and new Surface tablets, also beating Wall Street's forecast of $23.7bn.
Over the past few months analysts slightly raised revenue estimates, but reduced them for net income.
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