Microsoft Earnings Win Botched By Poorly Timed Release (MSFT)

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) somehow managed to release its earnings early and before the close rather than after the close of trading.  The software giant reported earnings in the last quarter of $0.77 EPS with a net income of $6.63 billion and its revenues were $19.95 billion. Thomson Reuters had estimates of $0.68 EPS and $19.14 billion in revenues, and the year ago readings were $0.77 EPS and $19.02 billion in sales.

As the tablet world and smartphone world is getting by without Microsoft, Windows sales  were disappointing  at $5.05 billion as industry-wide PC sales lagged. The big new pop that may have boosted revenues was that Microsoft said it sold 8 million Kinect units in 60 days, which brought a 55% revenue jump for Entertainment and Devices.  The Business Division showed 24% growth due to Office demand.

The company announced that during the quarter, it bought back $5 billion in stock and declared $1.3 billion in dividends. Without the full guidance we are treating this as unfinished business.

Microsoft closed up 0.3% at $28.87 in regular trading and shares first popped but then sank based upon the mixed news. The after-hours session has shares around $28.80.

The public should be outraged that companies can just release earnings on their website rather than via a public newswire.  Public companies should be held to higher standards than this.  The SEC talks about the freedom of information and Regulation FD, but this is a move away from it to have to deal with such a dual standard.

JON C. OGG