Microsoft Corp reported a 51 per cent jump in quarterly profit today, helped by higher sales of its flagship Windows and Office software and the launch of the latest blockbuster Halo video game.
The world's largest software company reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $5.4 billion, or 62 cents per share, compared with $3.6 billion, or 40 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. Sales rose 25 percent to $16.2 billion.
Microsoft shares rose 1.6 per cent in after-hours trading.
Reuters