Software mammoth Microsoft has celebrated a 30 per cent year-on-year revenue boost for its second quarter results, increasing it by $2bn over its previous record to a monstrous $16.37bn (£8.23bn).

Other improvements included an 87 per cent increase in operating income from $3.47bn last year to $6.48bn this year and a massive 92 per cent rise on its diluted earnings per share now at $0.50 compared to $0.26 for the same period last year.

Chris Liddell, chief financial officer of Microsoft, said: “Revenue of over $16 billion this quarter exceeds our previous record by $2 billion. Microsoft is extremely pleased by the broad based strength of its business performance and field execution. Throughout the first half of Microsoft’s fiscal year, all of our businesses met or beat its expectations.”

Microsoft also announced that since its general launch of Vista, one year ago, Microsoft’s Client business grew 20 per cent on average and the vendor claims sales of Windows Vista have exceeded 100 million licenses.

Kevin Johnson, president for the Platforms and Services Division of Microsoft: “Microsoft is pleased with the progress of Windows Vista in the market. It has hit its stride with partners and customers and is looking forward to the release of our first service pack later this quarter.”

The giant’s Business Division and Server and Tools business each experienced double digit revenue growth compared to the prior years results and together increased revenue over $1bn versus the same quarter last year. Its Business Division produced 23 per cent business revenue growth driven by new versions of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Sharepoint and Microsoft Exchange, all launched last November.

Kevin Turner, chief operating officer at Microsoft, said: “Microsoft is in the midst of another strong year with great momentum heading into calendar year 2008.”

“It will continue to see healthy demand from both businesses and consumers in the United States and its growth in emerging markets is especially strong. Looking across Brazil, Russia, India and China, Microsoft’s field revenue reached a combined growth rate over 65 per cent this quarter,” he added.

Microsoft has revealed revenue expectations to be in the range of $14.3bn to $14.14.6bn for the quarter ending March 31, 2008 and between $59.9bn and $60.5bn for the full fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008.

Turner continued: “As we look ahead, Microsoft’s Windows Server 2008 launch, with its virtualisation solution, will further its quest to bring exceptional value to its customers.”

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