Microsoft Q1 earnings down ahead of Win 8 launch

Microsoft, the world\'s top software maker, reported after the markets closed that net profit fell 21 percent from the year-ago quarter, to $4.5 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share of 65 cents were well above the average analyst estimate of 56 cents.

Revenue fell 8 percent in the 2013 first quarter that ended September 30, to $16 billion, as sales fell ahead of the release of its new Windows 8 operating system, next week.

Offers of Windows upgrades, pre-sales of Windows 8 to computer builders and hardware manufacturers, and an upgrade offer on its new Office meant a deferral of $1.36 billion of revenue and 13 cents of diluted earnings per share, the company said.

"The launch of Windows 8 is the beginning of a new era at Microsoft," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft\'s chief executive.

"Investments we\'ve made over a number of years are now coming together to create a future of exceptional devices and services, with tremendous opportunity for our customers, developers, and partners."

The Redmond, Washington-based company will release its new Surface tablet computer -- running on Windows 8 and designed to challenge Apple\'s iPad -- on October 26.

"While enterprise revenue continued to grow and we managed our expenses, the slowdown in PC demand ahead of the Windows 8 launch resulted in a decline in operating income," said Peter Klein, Microsoft\'s chief financial officer.

In the Windows and Windows Live division, revenue fell to $3.24 billion, down a hefty 33 percent from a year ago.

The business and the entertainment divisions posted slight drops in revenue.

The bright spot was the online services division, which saw revenue of $697 million, up 9 percent from a year ago. Microsoft said online advertising revenue grew 15 percent, driven mostly by an increase in revenue per search.

The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2013 operating expense forecast of $30.3 to $30.9 billion but offered no other financial guidance.

Microsoft shares were down 2.4 percent at $28.79 in after-market trading, after closing 0.3 percent lower at $29.50.

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