Microsoft Financial Results Dinged By Nokia Write-Down

Windows 10 Upgrade: 8 FAQs Explained

Microsoft recently wrapped up its most recent financial quarter and reported earnings that indicate promise for cloud, concern for its Devices and Consumer division, and reliance on Windows 10 for a successful 2016.

On Tuesday, the tech giant reported revenue of $22.2 billion for its financial fourth quarter and $93.6 billion for its 2015 fiscal year.

Redmond would have posted earnings of $0.62 per share during its most recent quarter if not for the $7.5 billion write-down related to Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia last year. The write-down resulted in a $3.2 billion quarterly loss and a $780 million restructuring charge. The integration and restructuring costs totaled $8.4 billion during Q4.

Even considering the massive hit, Microsoft surpassed expectations for revenue earnings. Analysts polled in advance by Thomson Reuters predicted quarterly earnings of $22 billion in revenue and $0.56 per share (excluding the Nokia write-down), reported CNBC.

[Why Cloud Security Beats the Data Center]

Commercial revenue saw a slight growth of 4% to reach $13.5 billion. Server products and services also grew 4%. The install base for Dynamics CRM Online grew almost 2.5x, and Dynamics revenue overall was up 6%.

Microsoft's cloud services continued to dominate, continuing the trend that started in Q3. Commercial cloud revenue grew 88% during the most recent quarter, and now has an annualized revenue run rate of over $8 billion. Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics CRM Online were the primary drivers of growth.

Other high points include the Surface device line, which grew 117% to hit $888 million, due to the success of Surface Pro 3 and launch of Surface 3. Search advertising revenue grew 21% as Bing captured 20.3% of US marketshare.

"Our approach to investing in areas where we have differentiation and opportunity is paying off with Surface, Xbox, Bing, Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics CRM Online all growing by at least double-digits," CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a July 21 statement. "And the upcoming release of Windows 10 will create new opportunities for Microsoft and our ecosystem."

Microsoft also saw growth among its Office 365 consumer subscriptions, which grew by 3 million to reach 15.2 million during Q4. This trend is mirrored on the commercial side, which saw Office products and services decline 4% as more customers transitioned to Office 365.

"We continue to see strong demand for Office 365 and Dynamics products," said Nadella on Microsoft's earnings call Tuesday. The company surpassed 150 million downloads of Office for mobile on iOS and Android, and rolled out a new version of Office for Mac 2016.

The end-of-support refresh cycle for Windows XP had a detrimental effect on the PC sector. Windows OEM revenue fell 22% as the PC market declined, and Windows volume licensing revenue dropped 8%.

Looking ahead, Nadella anticipates continued expansion spurred by Windows 10. New features like Universal Apps, Continuum, and Microsoft Edge, in addition to new device categories like HoloLens, will drive growth.

"I do believe Windows 10 will broaden our economic opportunity and return Windows growth," said Nadella.

The stronger US dollar had a significant impact on results during the most recent quarter, noted Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, who anticipates this will continue to affect financial results throughout fiscal year 2016. Hood also noted that she expects Windows 10 to benefit business results in the second half of FY2016.