MICROSOFT last night reported record third quarter results that exceeded Wail Street's expectations, with net income rising 42 per cent to $562 million (£360 million).

The world's largest software company said earnings per share hit 88 cents, up from 63 cents a share on net income of $396 million a year ago and against analysts' expectations of 85 cents. Revenues jumped 39 per cent to $2.2 billion. Microsoft's earnings in the quarter were driven mainly by demand for its core Windows 95 and Windows NT computer operating systems.

While sales of the Windows 95 upgrade to existing computer users have been less robust than expected at the time of the launch, the system is shipped with most new personal computers and generates a slightly higher royalty per unit than the previous version of Windows, analysts said.

Sales of its operating systems to PC makers hit a record in the third fiscal quarter, said Mr Joachim Kempin, senior vice president.