Microsoft may exceed forecasts
SeattlePI | at | by Mike
Microsoft's fiscal first-quarter net income and sales probably will rise more than forecast because customers bought more of the company's products in July, analysts said. The company, which reports results tomorrow for the period ended Sept. 30, will "meet or slightly exceed" Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund's estimate for earnings of 42 cents a share on sales of $7.07 billion, he wrote in a report. The average Thomson First Call estimates are for profit of 43 cents and sales of $7.14 billion. Microsoft saw a "strong surge in contract signings" from customers agreeing to a new software-licensing program in time for the plan's deadline, said Heather Bellini, an analyst at Salomon Smith Barney.