Microsoft reports improved profits

World’s largest software company Microsoft has reported their revenue figures for the last quarter and the company has shown improved profits. The company posted a 5% improvement in their profits and it came along with the highest sales figures for the company in any quarter in its history.

Microsoft reported revenue figures of $11.84 billion, which is an improvement of around 9% in the same period the previous year. However, it was somewhat lower than its forecast of around $11.9 billion to $12 billion in sales. The income came to around $3.65 billion. Microsoft seems to have benefited from sales of their gaming consoles Xbox and Xbox 360.

In addition, the company benefited from the improved sales of their new SQL Server 2005 database software applications. However, the company also reported that their operating income fell 2% to $4.66 billion. The company also showed improved revenues from their online advertisement segment where they have some big plans for the future. The company also recently formed a “live labs” applied research group to speed new Internet technologies to market.

The company is soon due to launch many high profile products like the upcoming launches of MS Office 12 and Windows Vista.