Microsoft fortunes stay on upwardly mobile path

Microsoft reported a 22 per cent increase in profit to $614 million on turnover which rose 14 per cent to $2.30 billion for Q1 97, ended 30 September.

Finished goods turnover in the US and Canada rose nine per cent to $812 million, compared with turnover of $427 million in Europe for the same quarter last year.

Turnover from the OEM channel reached a record level of $663 million for the quarter, according to Microsoft.

The software giant has $7.1 billion of cash and short-term investments in the bank.

San Francisco-based Macromedia suffered a 15 per cent fall in net income, from $5.4 million a year ago to $4.6 million for its Q2 ended 30 September.

The software company's turnover rose by 14 per cent to $27.3 million over the same period.

Windows products accounted for 49 per cent of overall sales during the quarter.