Microsoft’s Q4 profit soars fuelled by cloud, business services

Microsoft Corp. topped quarterly sales and profit projections, fuelled by steady demand for cloud-computing services and a surprisingly strong Windows business. The company’s forecast promised robust growth will continue into next year.

The software maker pledged double-digit percentage gains in sales and operating income for the year that started July 1. Results are getting a boost from larger deals for its Azure web services and brisk adoption of internet-based Office programs. Given Microsoft’s strong ambition, it plans to increase operating expenses by 11% to 12% for the fiscal year, and will raise capital spending to build out data centres, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said.