Yep, just saw that:
Thursday December 14 4:48 PM ET
Microsoft: Earnings Will Fall Short
REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. warned Thursday that its second-quarter revenue and profits will be 5 percent to 6 percent lower than previous estimates because of a worldwide slowdown in computer sales.
Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 is now expected to be $6.4 billion to $6.5 billion, with earnings per share of 46 cents or 47 cents, Microsoft said in a statement.
Analysts surveyed by First Call/Thomson Financial were expecting 49 cents per share.
For the fiscal year ending in June, Microsoft now expects revenues of $25.2 billion to $25.4 billion, about 5 percent lower than previously expected. Earnings per share will be about $1.80 to $1.82; analysts were expecting $1.91.
Microsoft will report its actual results for the quarter on Jan. 18.
``We believe, like many other technology companies, that the current weakness in worldwide economic conditions is resulting in a slowdown in PC sales, corporate IT spending, and consumer online services and advertising,'' said John Connors, Microsoft's chief financial officer.
``However, while our short-term results will continue to be affected by the current economic environment, our long-term outlook on the information technology market and the PC industry remains positive.''
Microsoft finished regular trading at $55.50 a share, down $1.75 or about 3 percent, on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
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