Microsoft reported its earnings for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012 on Thursday. For the first time, since the Internet giant went public in 1986, Microsoft has posted first-ever quarterly net loss of $492 million despite record revenue of $18.06 billion.
The Redmond-based company has also made a quarterly loss of $0.06 per share on sales of $18.06 billion after it wrote down the value of aQuantive by $6.2 billion.
Earlier this month, Microsoft mentioned that "While the aQuantive acquisition continues to provide tools for Microsoft's online advertising efforts, the acquisition did not accelerate growth to the degree anticipated, contributing to the write down."
The company also added "the goodwill in the Online Services Division was substantially the result of the 2007 acquisition of aQuantive. As a result of its 2012 impairment review, Microsoft has determined that a write down of its Online Services Division goodwill of approximately $6.2 billion is required."
The software giant's Entertainment and Devices Division recorded the highest growth with revenue for the quarter increasing 20 percent (8 percent for the full year) to over $1.7 billion while the Business Division posted a seven percent increase (seven percent for the full year), almost $6.3 billion in revenue. The Windows & Windows Live Division, however, witnessed revenue decline of 13 percent for the fourth quarter (three percent for the full year) but according to The Verge, the Windows division still makes "more-than-healthy $4.1 billion."
For the full fiscal year, Microsoft recorded revenue, operating income and earnings per share of $73.72 billion, $21.76 billion, and $2.00 per share respectively.
"We delivered record fourth quarter and annual revenue, and we're fast approaching the most exciting launch season in Microsoft history," said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. "Over the coming year, we'll release the next versions of Windows, Office, Windows Server, Windows Phone, and many other products and services that will drive our business forward and provide unprecedented opportunity to our customers and partners."
The company's shares went up 1.6 percent following the announcement.
Meanwhile, Microsoft will launch Windows 8 in October. Its own tablet, the Surface, is also releasing in coming months.
