Microsoft - Strength in Microsoft Cloud Highlights Q3 Results

These financial results include $190 million of integration and restructuring expenses, or a $0.01 per share negative impact, related to Microsoft's restructuring plan announced in July 2014 and the ongoing integration of the Nokia Devices and Services ("NDS") business.

During the quarter, Microsoft returned $7.5 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.

The following table notes the impact of the integration and restructuring expenses on the company's financial performance ("Noted Items"). This financial information is provided to aid investors in better understanding the company's performance. All growth comparisons relate to the corresponding period in the last fiscal year.

The strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies had a significant impact on results in the quarter. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate changes on the GAAP amounts, on a constant currency basis, revenue and gross margin would have grown 9% and 4%, respectively, and operating income and EPS would have declined 4% and 7%, respectively.

"Customers continue to choose Microsoft to transform their business and as a result we saw incredible growth across our cloud services this quarter," said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer at Microsoft. "Next week at Build we're excited to share more about how we're empowering every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more with the next generation of our platforms."

"We executed with strong operational and financial discipline again this quarter, and are seeing positive impact from our investments in key growth areas," said Amy Hood, chief financial officer at Microsoft. "We remain focused on maximizing shareholder value and again increased our overall return of capital to shareholders."

More information at Microsoft website