Microsoft Financial results for the fiscal third quarter will be released after the market closes on Thursday.
According to the London Stock Exchange (LSEG), analysts are looking for the following:
- Earnings per share: Approximately $2.82
- Income: Approximately US$60.8 billion
This represents revenue growth of 15.0% year over year, slightly higher than the 14.5% forecast given by management in January. Technology industry research firm Gartner had expected PC shipments to rise 0.9% in the current quarter, but analysts later lowered their expectations. This data point takes into account sales of Windows operating system licenses to PC manufacturers.
Analysts polled by CNBC expect Azure cloud services growth to slow to 28.8% from 30% in the previous quarter. StreetAccount’s consensus for Azure growth is 28.6%.
Microsoft launched this quarter Surface Computer Copilot with a key for quick access to the chatbot. The company started selling Co-Pilot rights, small business subscriptions to Microsoft 365 productivity software, and artificial intelligence lab DeepMind co-founder Mustafa to run the new Microsoft AI team. Recruit Suleiman Suleman was co-founder and CEO of startup Inflection, where many employees also joined Microsoft.
“We are operating with speed and intensity, and this infusion of new talent will allow us to accelerate again,” CEO Satya Nadella wrote in the book. A memo about the inflection transaction said it was worth US$650 million.
This marks the first full quarter of Copilot add-on sales to commercial Microsoft 365 customers. Piper Sandler analysts warned consumers not to expect too many financial details from Microsoft in a report on Sunday.
Microsoft shares are up 4% so far this year, while the S&P 500 is up nearly 5%.
Executives will review the results and issue guidance during a conference call with analysts beginning at 5:30 p.m.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
