[Am-info] Microsoft 2Q Income Drops 13%

[Joe Moore]

On Mon, Jan 21, 2002 at 03:32:38PM -0500, Fred A. Miller wrote:
>  
> Net income declined to $2.28 billion in the second quarter, 
> compared with $2.62 billion a year ago. Earnings per share of 
> 41 cents missed analysts' consensus estimate of 43 cents per 
> share. Excluding a charge of $660 million to settle class-
> action lawsuits against the company, earnings would have been 
> 49 cents per share, Microsoft said. Net revenue increased 18% 

Microsoft's response:  See?  These lawsuits are ruining us!  We would
have made more money if we didn't have these "consumers" suing us.

<sarcasm> Clearly, it's in the government's interest to stop all legal
action against Microsoft so that it can get back to its fundamental
business of using its monopoly power to increase its revenue. </>

--Joe
-- 
When you find yourself on the cutting edge of technology, remember:
   The trailing edge is sharper than the leading edge.