Microsoft profits rise on Office sales

Microsoft has reported a 6% rise in three month profits.

The technology company said net income for the three months to the end of September came in at $5.74bn (£3.63bn) compared with $5.41bn in the same period last year.

The results were helped by strong sales of its Office software package and a small increase in sales of Windows operating systems.

Microsoft reported record quarterly revenue of $17.4bn.

"To be able to beat on the revenue line is impressive, because we all know it's a weak consumer PC environment out there," said Colin Gillis at BGC Financial.

"In a difficult PC growth environment, the company is doing great."   Read More