MS reports solid quarter, UK looks good

Microsoft maintained its statuse as a Wall Street bell-wether by reporting $11.36 billion in revenues for its fiscal year, ending June 30 1997, a 31 per cent jump on last year's total. Net profit was $3.45 billion, a rise of 54 per cent year on year. Revenues for the quarter were $3.18 billion, up 41 per cent on the year-ago quarter and profits rose 86 per cent to $1.06 billion.

As Microsoft has long been at pains to stress, a slowing in its extraordinary growth rates is expected next year, reflecting the firm's dominance in desktop operating systems and applications.

However, some sectors are still accelerating rapidly. "Growth in the Microsoft BackOffice set of products continues to be robust," said Paul Maritz, group VP applications and platforms group. "Windows NT Server shipments doubled once again compared to the same quarter of the preceding year, and revenues for all server products were nearly double those of fiscal 1996."

Microsoft UK said it saw 35 per cent revenue growth in the fiscal year, primarily oiled by growth in its desktop business, and sales of Windows NT Server and BackOffice.