Redmond, Wash., April 22, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. today announced revenue of $9.18 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, a 17% increase over $7.84 billion in the prior year. Operating income for the third quarter was $1.28 billion, compared to $2.74 billion in the prior year. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were $1.32 billion and $0.12 per share. These results include stock-based compensation expense of $748 million (pre-tax) equating to $501 million (after-tax) or $0.05 per share, and legal charges of $2.53 billion (pre-tax) equating to $1.89 billion (after-tax) or $0.17 per share related to the settlement of the Sun Microsystems Inc. litigation and a fine imposed by the European Commission. For the previous year, net income and earnings per share for the third quarter were $2.14 billion and $0.20 per share, including stock-based compensation expense of $978 million (pre-tax) equating to $655 million (after-tax) or $0.06 per share.
“Broad-based demand and solid execution across all our businesses drove outstanding results for the quarter,” said John Connors, chief financial officer at Microsoft. “All of our businesses met or exceeded our expectations this quarter with the Client, Information Worker and Server and Tools businesses growing a combined 17%. Overall corporate IT spending continued to improve and we expect to see healthy demand through the end of our fiscal year.”
Information Worker revenue grew 18% over the prior year as Office experienced strong sales across all customer segments. Worldwide retail license sales of Office 2003 since its launch in October 2003 were double those of Office XP over its first five months. Office OEM sales grew 35% benefiting from increased adoption of Office 2003 including penetration of the Small Business and Professional editions. Customers acquiring Office during the quarter included Circuit City, Del Monte Foods, Perot Systems, The Thomson Corporation, and Unisys Corporation.
Server and Tools grew a solid 19% driven by healthy demand for Windows® , Exchange, SQL Server (TM) , and Visual Studio®
products. Rapid customer adoption of Windows Server (TM) 2003 continued with new licenses growing 31%. “Windows Server 2003 is our most successful server operating system product ever with customer license sales doubling any previous version over a comparable period since launch,” said Eric Rudder, senior vice president, Server and Tools business. “It is also rewarding to see customers and partners excited about the recently released Windows Small Business Server 2003 product, as is reflected by our early strong sales and already having 47,000 partners trained to deploy and service the platform.”
MSN® reported another profitable quarter on robust revenue growth of 16% over last year driven by continued success in growing its advertising business. MSN advertising revenue increased 43% during the quarter, again showing strength in both traditional online and search-based advertising. Customers and advertisers continue to recognize MSN as a worldwide leader in online services with more than 350 million unique users to the MSN network, over 170 million active MSN Hotmail®
unique users, and more than 120 million active MSN Messenger unique users worldwide on a monthly basis.
Business Outlook
Management offers the following guidance for the quarter ending June 30, 2004, which includes stock-based compensation expenses in accordance with SFAS 123:
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Revenue is expected to be in the range of $8.9 billion and $9.0 billion.
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Operating income is expected to be in the range of $2.8 billion and $2.9 billion, including stock-based compensation expense of approximately $750 million.
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Diluted earnings per share are expected to be approximately $0.23, including stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.05.
Management offers the following guidance for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, which includes stock-based compensation expenses in accordance with SFAS 123:
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Revenue is expected to be in the range of $37.8 billion and $38.2 billion.
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Operating income is expected to be in the range of $15.9 billion and $16.3 billion, including stock-based compensation expense of approximately $2.5 billion.
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Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.16 and $1.18, including stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.15.
Webcast Details
Microsoft will hold an audio webcast at 2:30 p.m. PDT (5:30 p.m. EDT) today with John Connors and Scott Di Valerio to discuss details regarding the company’s performance for the quarter and other forward-looking information. The session may be accessed at http://www.microsoft.com/msft . The webcast will be available for replay through the close of business on April 22, 2005.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as: entry into markets with vigorous competition, market acceptance of new products and services, continued acceptance of existing products and services, changes in licensing programs, product price discounts, delays in product development and related product release schedules, and reliance on sole source suppliers for key components of Xbox that could result in component shortages and delays in product delivery, any of which may cause revenues and income to fall short of anticipated levels; obsolete inventory or product returns by distributors, resellers and retailers; warranty and other claims on hardware products such as Xbox; changes in the rate of PC shipments; technological shifts; the support of third party software developers for new or existing platforms; the availability of competitive products or services such as the Linux operating system at prices below our prices or for no charge; the ability to have access to MSN service distribution channels that are controlled by third parties; the risk of unanticipated increased costs for network services; the continued ability to protect the company’s intellectual property rights; the ability to obtain on acceptable terms the right to incorporate in the company’s products and services technology patented by others; changes in product and service mix; maturing product life cycles; product sale terms and conditions; the risk that actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our products could adversely affect our revenues; implementation of operating cost structures that align with revenue growth; the financial condition of our customers and vendors; variations in equity compensation expenses under FAS 123, which will fluctuate based on factors such as the actual number of stock awards issued and the market value of the awards on the dates of grant; unavailability of insurance; uninsured losses; adverse results in litigation; the effects of terrorist activity and armed conflict such as disruptions in general economic activity and changes in our operations and security arrangements; the level of corporate information technology spending and changes in general economic conditions that affect demand for computer hardware or software; currency fluctuations; trade sanctions or changes to U.S. tax law resulting from the World Trade Organization decision with respect to the extraterritorial income provisions of U.S. tax law; and financial market volatility or other changes affecting the value of our investments that may result in a reduction in carrying value and recognition of losses including impairment charges.
For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoft’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Issues and Uncertainties” sections of Microsoft’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft’s investor relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft’s investor relations website at http://www.microsoft.com/msft .
All information in this release is as of April 22, 2004. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft, Windows, Visual Studio, Windows Server, MSN and Hotmail are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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