How Microsoft Did It Again in Q1

Microsoft reported fiscal first-quarter results after markets closed Wednesday. The software behemoth reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.14 on revenues of $29.1 billion. In the same period last year the company reported EPS of $0.84 on revenues of…

Published October 24, 2018, 4:19pm ET · 2 min read

The Microsoft campus sign featuring the colorful four-square logo (orange, green, blue, yellow) and the silver "Microsoft" wordmark. A modern building with blue and teal glass windows is visible in the background under a bright sky.
The Microsoft campus sign stands prominently, reflecting the company's strong brand and its foundational role in the evolving landscape of agentic AI. © NicolasMcComber / Getty Images

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) reported fiscal first-quarter results after markets closed Wednesday. The software behemoth reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.14 on revenues of $29.1 billion. In the same period last year the company reported EPS of $0.84 on revenues of $27.9 billion. The consensus estimates called for EPS of $0.96 on revenues of $24.54 billion.

Microsoft returned $6.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the quarter, an increase of 27% compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

In terms of its segments, Microsoft reported:

  • Productivity and Business Processes revenues increased 19% to $9.8 billion (up 18% in constant currency).
  • Intelligent Cloud revenues increased 24% to $8.6 billion (up 24% in constant currency).
  • More Personal Computing revenues increased 15% to $10.7 billion (up 15% in constant currency).

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The company plans to issue guidance in the conference call. Consensus estimates are calling for $1.08 in EPS and $32.25 billion in revenue for the fiscal second quarter.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, commented:

We are off to a great start in fiscal 2019, a result of our innovation and the trust customers are placing in us to power their digital transformation. We’re excited to help our customers build the digital capability they need to thrive and grow, with a business model that is fundamentally aligned to their success.

Shares of Microsoft closed Wednesday at $102.32, with a consensus analyst price target of $124.53 and a 52-week range of $78.01 to $116.18. Following the announcement, the stock was up over 3% at $105.87 in the after-hours session.

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Chris Lange

Chris Lange is a financial and geopolitical writer with more than a decade of experience covering a myriad of topics. He has published thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St., with past coverage focused heavily on stocks, IPOs, healthcare, defense, global affairs, and technology.

His work has been quoted, or referenced by a number of outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, The Motley Fool, and many other publications. A graduate of Southwestern University, he studied business with a focus on investments and has previous experience in banking and startups.

When not reading or writing the news, he is following his passion for Lacrosse, playing chess, or building solar projects with his dad.

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