Microsoft reported that $18.06 billion in revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2012 on Thursday. Microsoft failed to meet Wall Street expectations of $18.13 billion for the quarter and reported a net loss of $492 million, or a loss of $0.06 per share. This is the first time Microsoft has ever reported a quarterly loss.
“The financial results reflect the previously announced non-cash, non-tax-deductible income statement charge of $6.19 billion for the impairment of goodwill and the deferral of $540 million of revenue related to the Windows Upgrade Offer,” Microsoft said in its earnings statement.
“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.”
Microsoft’s Business Division grew 7% during the quarter and 7% during the entire year and the increase was attributed to Office 2010 sales. The software is now installed on more than 1 billion computers around the world, Microsoft said.
The company’s Windows and Windows Live Division reported a 13% decline in revenue during the quarter and a 3% decline for the year. The Online Services Division said its revenue jumped 8% during the quarter and 10% during the year thanks to Microsoft’s Bing search business. The company’s Bing search engine now has a 15.6% share of the U.S. search market, up 120 points from the same period last year.
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