Microsoft posts record profits

Once again, Microsoft has surprised analysts and posted record earnings forthe quarter ending September 30. Microsoft topped $3 billion in sales for the quarter, up from $2.3 billion in the same quarter the year before. Net income was $663 million, including a $300 million charge for its purchaseof WebTV. Both were well above expectations.

As usual, Microsoft is warning that growth will slow since there will befewer new product announcements in the coming years. Hot products for thecurrent quarter included Office 97 and Windows NT Server.