Microsoft joins Apple, HP in scrapping quarterly outlooks due to coronavirus

Microsoft Corp. became the latest tech giant to reduce its quarterly outlook based on the outbreak of a novel coronavirus that’s slowing production of computers and crimping sales of an array of consumer services and electronics.

In a statement Wednesday, the company said it doesn’t expect to meet earlier guidance for fiscal third-quarter revenue in the Windows personal-computer software and Surface device business because the supply chain is returning to normal at a slower pace than expected. Last month, Microsoft gave a wider-than-usual sales target — $10.75 billion to $11.15 billion — for that division, citing uncertainty related to the spread of the deadly respiratory virus.

The world’s largest software maker joins iPhone maker Apple Inc. and PC company HP Inc.