Cloud push continues to power Microsoft’s growth, Surface revenue up by 21%

Microsoft Corp.’s cloud computing business fuelled quarterly sales and profit that topped analysts’ estimates, boosted by several new deals with large corporate clients.

Revenue rose 14 % from a year earlier to $30.6 billion in the quarter ended March 31, the Redmond, Washington-based company said Wednesday in a statement. Analysts on average projected $29.9 billion. Net income was $8.8 billion, or $1.14 a share, compared with an average analyst estimate of $1 a share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The fiscal third quarter featured a flurry of large brands, particularly in retail, signing agreements to use Microsoft’s Azure cloud software. Clients included grocer Kroger Co., Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and oil company Exxon Mobile Corp. Some, such as Walgreens, also committed to using cloud-based Office and security software.