Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) reported the results of its fiscal first quarter (ended Sept. 30), which trounced expectations on the strength of the company's cloud services and continuing swell in gaming activity. Revenue of $37.2 billion grew 12% year over year, easily surpassing analysts' consensus estimates of $35.72 billion, while also surpassing the high end of management's forecast, which topped out at $36.05 billion. Earnings per share of $1.82 increased 32%, eclipsing the $1.54 expected by analysts.
Management cited strong demand for Microsoft's cloud computing services, with CFO Amy Hood noting, "We continue to invest against the significant opportunity ahead of us to drive long-term growth."
Image source: Getty Images.
Azure Cloud continued to grow like gangbusters, up 48% year over year, ticking up slightly from 47% growth in Q4. This pushed the intelligent cloud segment higher, up 20% year over year. Within the segment, commercial cloud produced revenue of $15.2 billion, up 31% year over year, achieving a run rate of more than $60 billion, while generating gross margins of 71%.
The more personal computing segment got a boost, climbing 6%. Gaming continued its outsized growth, growing 22% year over year, providing fuel for the segment. Xbox content and services increased 30%, driven higher by strong third-party titles and subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass, as well as demand from Microsoft's own titles. Surface also held up its end, with revenue that increased 37%.
The productivity and business processes segment did its part with strength across its portfolio, up 11% year over year, as Office commercial products grew 9% driven by Office 365 commercial, which jumped 21%.
Microsoft could get another boost from gaming in the current quarter, as the company is releasing the next generation Xbox console next month, just in time for the holidays. In September, Microsoft revealed that for those not able to spend $499 on a new device, the company would begin offering consoles included in a monthly subscription.
10 stocks we like better than Microsoft
When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*
David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Microsoft wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 20, 2020
Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Danny Vena owns shares of Microsoft. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Microsoft and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $85 calls on Microsoft and short January 2021 $115 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
