Interesting reading
Here comes good ole Mr. Softee to the rescue. As technology stocks continue to open the 2000 trading year on a volatile note, investors should feel comfortable with the results for Microsoft?s (NASDAQ: MSFT - Quotes, News, Boards) second quarter, ended December 31. The software giant is slated to announce earnings on Tuesday, January 18th, with the consensus estimate at $0.43 a share according to Zacks. If Microsoft only hits that estimate, the company would show 17% earnings growth.
It?s worth noting that this will be the first earnings release since Bill Gates handed over the chief executive title to his longtime partner, president Steve Ballmer.
If the past is any guide for the coming quarter, Microsoft will have no problems beating estimates.
Still, the company is coming off of tough comparisons from last year, when Microsoft surprised the Street by 26%. We don't expect that large of a surprise, but given Microsoft's traditional conservatism, the company could earn $0.47 a share in the quarter. |
