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Microsoft First Quarter FY 2004 Earnings Release  

Microsoft Reports First Quarter Earnings

Strong Demand for Consumer and Server Products Drives Revenue

Income Statements

Balance Sheets


Cash Flows Statements
Segments Revenue

Financial Highlights

Earnings Release  

Redmond, Wash. – Oct. 23, 2003 – Microsoft Corp. today announced revenue of $8.22 billion for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, a six percent increase over $7.75 billion in the prior year. Operating income for the first quarter was $3.15 billion, compared to $3.03 billion reported in the prior year. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2004 were $2.61 billion and $0.24, which included equity compensation expense of approximately $680 million (after-tax) or $0.06 per share. For the previous year, net income and diluted earnings per share were $2.04 billion and $0.19, which included a charge for investment impairments of $291 million (after-tax) or $0.03 per share and equity compensation expense of approximately $702 million (after-tax) or $0.06 per share. Prior year operating income, net income, and earnings per share have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the adoption of fair value expense accounting for equity based compensation under SFAS 123.

“While corporate IT spending was slow to improve this quarter, we saw strength across all of our consumer businesses, driving higher than expected revenue for the company,” said John Connors, chief financial officer at Microsoft. “Delivering value to our customers with innovative software like the new Office System, Exchange Server 2003, and Small Business Server and executing on our plan to better help protect customers from a growing number of security attacks are our top priorities for the rest of the year.”

Robust consumer demand for PCs during the back to school shopping season fueled better than expected Client revenue during the quarter. In addition, MSN® had another strong quarter with over 50% advertising revenue growth, and Home and Entertainment revenue grew by 20%, driven by the successful launch of the Xbox® holiday offering. Mobile and Embedded Devices also demonstrated momentum this quarter with revenue growing to $53 million on strong results from our Windows Mobile™, MapPoint®, and Windows® Embedded products. Additionally, this week AT&T Wireless announced the availability of the Motorola MPx200, the first Windows Mobile-based Smartphone in North America.

Server and Tools grew a solid 15% over last year to $1.87 billion this quarter. Windows Server™, Microsoft® SQL Server™ and Microsoft Exchange all experienced double digit revenue growth, driven by a growing number of customers acquiring high-end enterprise editions. Windows Server 2003 has sold over two times as many licenses as Windows 2000 Server over the same period of time since launch. In addition, with over 120 million seats sold worldwide, Exchange continues to be a leading messaging solution for companies.

This week, Microsoft launched the new Office System, with a pioneering new version of Outlook®, built-in XML capabilities and several new applications including Microsoft Office InfoPath™, Microsoft Office OneNote™, and Microsoft Office Live Communications Server. “The new Microsoft Office System presents a clear opportunity for both small and large organizations to increase employee productivity and the value of business information. In addition, by introducing new editions of Office such as the Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 and Microsoft Office Student & Teacher Edition 2003, we are answering customers’ requests for products customized specifically for their needs,” said Jeff Raikes, group vice president, Productivity and Business Services. Customers acquiring Office during the quarter included Accenture, Ace Hardware Corp., and Gold Kist, Inc.

Business Outlook

Management offers the following guidance for the quarter ending December 31, 2003, which includes equity compensation expenses in accordance with SFAS 123:

  • Revenue is expected to be in the range of $9.7 billion and $9.8 billion.

  • Operating income is expected to be in the range of $3.2 billion and $3.3 billion, including equity compensation expense of approximately $1.0 billion.

  • Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.23 and $0.24, including equity compensation expense of approximately $0.06.

  • Management offers the following guidance for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, which includes equity compensation expenses in accordance with SFAS 123:

  • Revenue is expected to be in the range of $34.8 billion and $35.3 billion.

  • Operating income is expected to be in the range of $11.4 billion and $11.7 billion, including equity compensation expense of approximately $4.0 billion.

  • Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.86 and $0.88, including equity compensation expense of approximately $0.24.

  • The equity compensation estimates for the December quarter and the full fiscal year do not include any potential equity compensation expense impact from our stock option transfer program.

    Webcast Details

    Microsoft will hold an audio webcast at 2:30 p.m. PDT (5:30 p.m. EDT) today with John Connors and Scott Di Valerio to discuss details regarding the company’s performance for the quarter and other forward-looking information. The session may be accessed at http://www.microsoft.com/msft. The webcast will be available for replay through the close of business on October 23, 2004.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as: entry into markets with vigorous competition, market acceptance of new products and services, continued acceptance of existing products and services, changes in licensing programs, product price discounts, delays in product development and related product release schedules, and reliance on sole source suppliers for key components of Xbox that could result in component shortages and delays in product delivery, any of which may cause revenues and income to fall short of anticipated levels; obsolete inventory or product returns by distributors, resellers and retailers; warranty and other claims on hardware products such as Xbox; changes in the rate of PC shipments; technological shifts; the support of third party software developers for new or existing platforms; the availability of competitive products or services such as the Linux operating system at prices below our prices or for no charge; the ability to have access to MSN service distribution channels controlled by third parties; the risk of unanticipated increased costs for network services; the continued ability to protect the company’s intellectual property rights; the ability to obtain on acceptable terms the right to incorporate in the company’s products and services technology patented by others; changes in product and service mix; maturing product life cycles; product sale terms and conditions; the risk that actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our products could adversely affect our revenues; the company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquired businesses such as Navision a/s; implementation of operating cost structures that align with revenue growth; the financial condition of our customers and vendors; variations in equity compensation expenses under FAS 123, which will fluctuate based on factors such as the actual number of stock awards issued and the market value of the awards on the dates of grant; unavailability of insurance; uninsured losses; adverse results in litigation; the effects of terrorist activity and armed conflict such as disruptions in general economic activity and changes in our operations and security arrangements; continued softness in corporate information technology spending or other changes in general economic conditions that affect demand for computer hardware or software; currency fluctuations; trade sanctions or changes to U.S. tax law resulting from the World Trade Organization decision with respect to the extraterritorial income provisions of U.S. tax law; and financial market volatility or other changes affecting the value of our investments that may result in a reduction in carrying value and recognition of losses including impairment charges.

    For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoft’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and “Issues and Uncertainties” sections of Microsoft’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft’s investor relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft’s investor relations website at http://www.microsoft.com/msft.

    All information in this release is as of October 23, 2003. The company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations.

    Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

    Microsoft, MSN, Xbox, Windows Mobile, MapPoint, Windows, Windows Server, Outlook, InfoPath and OneNote are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    For more information, financial analysts only:
    Curt Anderson, senior director, Investor Relations (425) 706-3703

    For more information, press only:
    Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7070, rrt@wagged.com

    Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Shareholder and financial information, as well as today’s 2:30 p.m. PDT conference call with investors and analysts, is available at http://www.microsoft.com/msft.

    Item 1. Financial Statements

    MICROSOFT CORPORATION



    INCOME STATEMENTS
    (In millions, except earnings per share)
      Three Months
    Ended September 30
    2002(1) 2003

    Revenue $7,746  $8,215 
    Operating expenses:
    Cost of revenue 1,344  1,480 
    Research and development 1,707  1,611 
    Sales and marketing 1,415  1,505 
    General and administrative 252  471 

    Total operating expenses 4,718  5,067 

    Operating income 3,028  3,148 
    Losses on equity investees and other (22) (10)
    Investment income 41  763 

    Income before income taxes 3,047  3,901 
    Provision for income taxes 1,006  1,287 

    Net income $2,041  $2,614 

    Earnings per share:
    Basic $0.19 $0.24

    Diluted $0.19 $0.24

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
    Basic 10,739  10,811 

    Diluted 10,933  10,885 

    (1) The three months ending September 30, 2002 results have been restated to reflect a two-for-one stock split in February 2003 and for the retroactive adoption of SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.


    MICROSOFT CORPORATION

    BALANCE SHEETS
    (In millions)
    June 30
    2003(1)
    September 30
    2003

    Assets
    Current assets:
    Cash and equivalents $6,438  $5,768 
    Short-term investments 42,610  45,854 

    Total cash and short-term investments 49,048  51,622 
    Accounts receivable, net 5,196  4,533 
    Inventories 640  1,099 
    Deferred income taxes 2,506  2,206 
    Other 1,583  1,450 

    Total current assets 58,973  60,910 
    Property and equipment, net 2,223  2,193 
    Equity and other investments 13,692  13,962 
    Goodwill 3,128  3,128 
    Intangible assets, net 384  378 
    Deferred income taxes 2,161  2,507 
    Other long-term assets 1,171  1,203 

    Total assets $81,732  $84,281 

    Liabilities and stockholders' equity
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable $1,573  $1,341 
    Accrued compensation 1,416  869 
    Income taxes 2,044  2,600 
    Short-term unearned revenue 7,225  6,620 
    Other 1,716  3,668 

    Total current liabilities 13,974  15,098 

    Long-term unearned revenue 1,790  1,627 
    Other long-term liabilities 1,056  876 
    Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock and paid-in capital - shares authorized 24,000;
    Shares issued and outstanding 10,771 and 10,805 
    49,234  51,298 
    Retained earnings, including accumulated other comprehensive income of $1,840 and $1,719  15,678  15,382 

    Total stockholders' equity 64,912  66,680 

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $81,732  $84,281 

    (1) June 30, 2003 balance sheet has been restated for the retroactive adoption of SFAS 123.


    MICROSOFT CORPORATION

    CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS
    (In millions)
      Three Months
    Ended September 30
    2002 2003

    Operations
    Net income $2,041  $2,614 
    Depreciation, amortization, and other non-cash items 273  328 
    Stock based compensation 1,048  1,015 
    Net recognized (gains)/losses on investments 475  (279)
    Stock option income tax benefits 365  489 
    Deferred income taxes (939)
    Unearned revenue 4,093  2,214 
    Recognition of unearned revenue (2,743) (2,983)
    Accounts receivable 751  676 
    Other current assets (37) (314)
    Other long-term assets 28  (14)
    Other current liabilities 797  (276)
    Other long-term liabilities 20  (52)

    Net cash from operations $6,172  $3,424 

    Financing
    Common stock issued 539  695 
    Common stock repurchased (3,497) (1,045)

    Net cash used for financing ($2,958) ($350)

    Investing
    Additions to property and equipment (160) (167)
    Acquisition of companies, net of cash acquired (870) (4)
    Purchases of investments (26,685) (24,598)
    Maturites of investments 3,230  2,650 
    Sales of investments 23,588  18,371 

    Net cash used for investing ($897) ($3,748)

    Net change in cash and equivalents 2,317  (674)
    Effect of exchange rates on cash and equivalents
    Cash and equivalents, beginning of period 3,016  6,438 

    Cash and equivalents, end of period $5,338  $5,768 

    MICROSOFT CORPORATION

    Segment Revenue
    (In millions)
      Three Months
    Ended September 30
      2002 2003

    Segments
    Client $2,807  $2,809 
    Server and Tools 1,625  1,866 
    Information Worker 2,268  2,287 
    Microsoft Business Solutions 106  128 
    MSN 427  491 
    Mobile and Embedded Devices 28  53 
    Home and Entertainment 485  581 

    Total revenue $7,746  $8,215 

     
    Microsoft Corporation

     
     
    Financial Highlights

     
     
    First Quarter 2004

     
     
    (All growth percentages are comparisons to the comparable quarter of fiscal year 2003)

     
     
    Revenue

     
     
    Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2004 was $8.22 billion, an increase of 6% over the first quarter of fiscal year 2003. The revenue growth was driven primarily by licensing for Server and Tools products along with 20% growth in Home and Entertainment revenue and 15% growth in MSN revenue.

     
     
    Consolidated Operating Income

     
     
    Operating income of $3.15 billion grew 4% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2004. The growth in operating income reflected an increase of $469 million in revenue, partially offset by an increase of $349 million in operating expenses, primarily related to Home and Entertainment product costs, employee-related costs associated with additional headcount, and increased legal costs including certain settlement expenses.

     
     
    Product Revenue

     
     
    Microsoft’s seven segments are: Client; Server and Tools; Information Worker; Microsoft Business Solutions; MSN; Mobile and Embedded Devices; and Home and Entertainment.

     
     
    Client includes revenue from Windows XP Professional and Home, Windows 2000 Professional, and other standard Windows operating systems. Client revenue was $2.81 billion in the first quarter, flat with revenue from the first quarter of the prior year, reflecting flat reported license growth. In the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company completed its transition to new licensing terms under which OEMs are billed for products when Certificates of Authentication (COAs) are acquired rather than upon PC shipment, resulting in reported licenses related to inventory accumulation.

     
     
    Server and Tools consists of server software licenses and client access licenses (CALs) for Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server, and other servers. It also includes developer tools, training, certification, Microsoft Press, Premier product support services, and Microsoft consulting services. Total Server and Tools revenue grew 15% to $1.87 billion in the first quarter, driven in part by an increase in Windows-based server shipments and in part by growth in SQL Server and Exchange revenue. Server revenue, including CALs, grew $214 million or 18% from the prior year’s first quarter as a result of revenue earned from previously billed multi-year licensing agreements and new server shipment sales. Consulting and Premier product support services increased $37 million or 16% compared to the prior year’s first quarter. Revenue from developer tools, training, certification, Microsoft Press and other services declined $10 million or 5%.

     
     
    Information Worker includes revenue from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Visio, LiveMeeting, other information worker products, SharePoint Portal Server CALs, and professional product support services. Revenue from Information Worker was $2.29 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, increasing 1% from the prior year’s first quarter. Revenue for the quarter excluded $137 million of revenue deferred for technology guarantees provided to customers who purchased Office in first quarter of fiscal 2004. Revenue from OEM licensing of Office products grew 30% from the first quarter of fiscal 2003.

     
     
    Microsoft Business Solutions includes Microsoft Great Plains; Navision; and bCentral. Microsoft Business Solutions revenue for the first quarter was $128 million, a 21% increase compared to $106 million in the prior year’s first quarter. The revenue increase of $22 million was primarily attributable to continued growth in licensing of Navision products.

     
     
    MSN includes MSN subscriptions and the MSN network of Internet products and services. MSN revenue totaled $491 million in the first quarter compared to $427 million in the prior year’s first quarter. MSN Subscription revenue declined $17 million or 6% reflecting a decrease in the number of subscribers. MSN Network services revenue grew $81 million or 51% as a result of growth in paid search and strong general advertising sales across all geographic regions.

     
     
    Mobile and Embedded Devices includes Windows Mobile software, Windows Embedded device operating systems, MapPoint, and Windows Automotive. First quarter revenue totaled $53 million, compared to $28 million in the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in revenue was driven by increased Pocket PC shipments and MapPoint licensing.

     
     
    Home and Entertainment includes the Xbox video game system, PC games, consumer software and hardware, and TV platform. Home and Entertainment revenue was $581 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, increasing 20% from $485 million in the prior year’s first quarter. Xbox revenue increased $53 million or 20% from the prior year’s first quarter, with $85 million related to higher volumes of Xbox consoles, peripherals, and games offset by a $32 million decrease related to price changes. Revenue from consumer hardware and software and PC games increased $43 million or 19% compared to a year ago.

     
     
    Foreign Currencies Impact

     
     
    Translated international revenue is affected by foreign exchange rates. The net impact of foreign exchange rates on revenue was positive in the first quarter compared to a year ago, primarily due to a stronger Euro and Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar. Had the rates from the prior year’s comparable quarter been in effect in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, translated international revenue billed in local currencies would have been approximately $165 million lower. Certain manufacturing, selling, distribution, and support costs are disbursed in local currencies, and a portion of international revenue is hedged, thus offsetting a portion of the translation exposure.

     
     
    Operating Expenses

     
     
    The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 on July 1, 2003 and restated prior periods to reflect compensation cost under the recognition provisions of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees after July 1, 1995. Headcount-related costs in operating expenses include equity compensation. At September 30, 2003, 1.48 billion vested and unvested options were outstanding, compared to 10.81 billion common shares outstanding. In the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company granted stock awards for 57 million shares of stock, a significant portion of which are performance-based awards. The award of 57 million shares of stock under these awards is subject to vesting and, in the case of the performance-based stock awards, achievement of target performance over a three year period. Total equity compensation costs included in operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 was $1.02 billion, compared to $1.05 billion in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

     
     
    Cost of revenue was $1.48 billion, or 18.0% of revenue, in the first quarter, compared to $1.34 billion, or 17.4% of revenue, in the first quarter of the prior year. The increase in absolute dollars, as well as percentage of revenue, resulted primarily from a 27% increase in Home & Entertainment costs, due to increased Xbox console units sold partially offset by lower costs of producing the Xbox console and an 11% increase in product support and consulting services.

     
     
    Research and development expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $1.61 billion, 19.6% of revenue, a decrease of 6% in absolute dollar terms over the first quarter of the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to a $62 million or 4% decrease in headcount-related costs, $20 million or 32% decrease in intellectual property rights amortization, and a $16 million or 14% decrease in third party product development costs.

     
     
    Sales and marketing expenses were $1.51 billion in the first quarter, or 18.3% of revenue, compared to $1.42 billion in the first quarter of the prior year, or 18.3% of revenue. Sales and marketing costs increased in absolute dollars due to a 22% increase in headcount-related expenses, primarily from additions to the Enterprise and Small/Medium sales forces, partially offset by lower other sales expenses.

     
     
    General and administrative costs were $471 million in the first quarter compared to $252 million in the comparable quarter of the prior year. General and administrative costs increased in the first quarter primarily from higher legal costs including certain settlement costs and headcount-related expenses.

     
     
    Non-operating Items, Investment Income, and Income Taxes

     
     
    Losses on equity investees and other consists of Microsoft’s share of income or loss from equity method investments and income or loss attributable to minority interests. Losses on equity investees and other decreased to $10 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, from $22 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2003. The components of investment income are as follows:

     
    Three Months Ended Sept. 30
    (In Millions) 2002 2003

    Dividends and interest $ 516 $ 484
      Net gains/(losses) on sales of investments (128 ) 245
     Net gains/(losses) attributable to derivative instruments
    (347 ) 34

       Investment income
    $ 41 $ 763

     
    Dividends and interest declined moderately, mainly due to the $62 million AT&T dividend earned in the prior comparable quarter and offset somewhat by higher interest income earned on investments.

    Net gains (losses) on sales of investments includes other-than-temporary impairments of $18 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $434 million in the first quarter of the prior year, which accounted for the majority of the increase to investment income.

    Net gains attributable to derivative instruments were $34 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to losses of $347 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 which were driven mainly by the impact of decreasing interest rates on interest rate sensitive instruments.

    The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 33%. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 was 32%, reflecting a one-time benefit in the second quarter of $126 million from the reversal of previously accrued taxes. Excluding this reversal, the effective tax rate would have been 33%.

     
     
    Unearned Revenue

     
     
    Unearned revenue from volume licensing programs represents customer billings, paid either upfront or annually at the beginning of each billing coverage period, which are accounted for as subscriptions with revenue recognized ratably over the billing coverage period. For certain other licensing arrangements revenue attributable to undelivered elements, including free post-delivery telephone support and the right to receive unspecified upgrades/enhancements of Microsoft Internet Explorer on a when-and-if-available basis, is based on the sales price of those elements when sold separately and is recognized ratably on a straight-line basis over the related product’s life cycle. The percentage of revenue recorded as unearned due to undelivered elements ranges from approximately 15% to 25% of the sales price for Windows XP Home, approximately 5% to 15% of the sales price for Windows XP Professional, and approximately 5% to 15% of the sales price for desktop applications, depending on the terms and conditions of the license and prices of the elements. Product life cycles are currently estimated at three and a half years for Windows operating systems and two years for desktop applications. Unearned revenue also includes payments for online advertising for which the advertisement has yet to be displayed and payments for post-delivery support services to be performed in the future.

     


    The components of unearned revenue were as follows:
    June 30 Sept 30
    (In Millions) 2003 2003

    Volume licensing programs $ 5,472 $ 4,789
    Undelivered elements 2,847 2,700
    Other 696 758

     Unearned revenue
    $ 9,015 $ 8,247



    Unearned revenue by segment was as follows:
    June 30 Sept 30
    (In Millions) 2003 2003

    Client $ 3,165 $ 3,013
    Server and Tools 2,185 1,917
    Information Worker 3,305 3,009
    Other segments 360 308

     Unearned revenue
    $ 9,015 $ 8,247

     

     
     
    Unearned revenue as of September 30, 2003 decreased $768 million from June 30, 2003 reflecting a sequential decrease in new and recurring multi-year licensing agreements, deferral of revenue associated with technology guarantees for Office System 2003, and recognition of unearned revenue from multi-year licensing in prior periods. Of the $8.25 billion of unearned revenue at September 30, 2003, $2.62 billion is expected to be recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2004, $1.95 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2004, $1.38 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, $665 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, and $1.63 billion thereafter.

     
     
    Cash Flow

     
     
    Cash and short-term investments totaled $51.62 billion as of September 30, 2003. Cash flow from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 was $3.42 billion, compared to $6.17 billion in the comparable quarter of the prior year. The decrease reflects a $2.12 billion decline in cash flow from unearned revenue resulting from a decline in multi-year contract billings. Cash used for financing was $350 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to $2.96 billion in the comparable quarter of the prior year. This decrease in cash used from the prior year primarily reflected a $2.45 billion decrease in cash used for stock repurchases. The Company repurchased 43.3 million shares of common stock under its share repurchase program in the first quarter, compared to 120.6 million shares repurchased in the prior year. Cash used for investing was $3.75 billion in the first quarter, an increase of $2.85 billion from the prior year due to greater sales of investments in the first quarter of fiscal 2003.

     
     

     
     

     
     
    Microsoft, Great Plains, Windows, Xbox, Visio, Windows NT, BackOffice, bCentral, Visual Studio, MSN, HomeAdvisor, CarPoint, and Microsoft Press are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation or Great Plains in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

     
     
    For More Information:
    Curt Anderson, Senior Director, Investor Relations, (425) 706-3703