Microsoft is set to release its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report after the U.S. market closes on Tuesday. Analysts are anticipating earnings per share to be at $2.93 with revenue reaching $64.39 billion. This would represent a 15% increase in revenue from the previous year’s $56.2 billion, following a 17% growth in the prior quarter. The tech giant is expected to see its strongest growth in cloud computing, with Azure and other cloud services projected to have a 30% revenue increase. This is slightly lower than the previous quarter’s 31% growth. However, Microsoft does not disclose Azure revenue in dollars, making it challenging to gauge the exact financial impact of their cloud services.
Analysts from Evercore ISI believe that around 7.8 points of Azure’s growth will be driven by artificial intelligence services, an increase from 7 points in the fiscal third quarter. This highlights the growing importance of AI in Microsoft’s business strategy and the impact it is having on revenue streams. By leveraging AI technology, Microsoft aims to further enhance its cloud capabilities and position itself as a leader in the industry.
Impact of PC Market Recovery
The resurgence of the PC market is expected to benefit Microsoft’s Windows operating system business, which experienced contraction last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic-induced surge in computer purchases. Research from Gartner indicates that PC shipments grew by 1.9% in the fiscal fourth quarter, compared to 0.9% growth in the previous period. Furthermore, Microsoft introduced Surface PCs with integrated AI features that can operate certain models locally without an internet connection. This innovation, along with similar offerings from Dell, HP, and other device manufacturers, aims to enhance the user experience and differentiate Microsoft’s products in the competitive PC market.
Despite a year-to-date increase of approximately 14% in Microsoft’s stock price, the company has slightly underperformed the S&P 500 index, which has risen by about 15%. Investors will be keen to hear insights from Microsoft executives during the conference call with analysts, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET. The guidance provided by the company regarding future performance and strategic direction will play a crucial role in shaping investor sentiment and influencing stock movement in the coming quarters.
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