December, revealing a loss of USD 293 million from the division which
manages its next-generation Xbox 360 console. Overall revenue for the quarter was posted at a record USD 11.84
billion, an increase of 9 per cent on the same period a year ago.
Profit rose 5 per cent from USD 3.64 billion in 2004 to USD 3.65
billion, although the firm admits that the results have been adversely
affected by significant losses in its Home and Entertainment division.
The Home and Entertainment division - which includes the Xbox arm of
the business - saw revenues of USD1.56 billion and a substantial loss
of USD 293 million, compared to USD 1.37 billion revenues and a USD 55
million profit in the same period in 2004. The continued impact of
component shortages for its Xbox 360 console have been cited as the
main reason for the loss in profits, though MS officials have stated
that the manufacturing troubles are now being resolved.Microsoft stated that sales of its new console, which have been
significantly lower than expected due to widespread supply shortages,
had reached 1.5 million during the all-important pre-Christmas period.
The figure is broken down in terms of territories as follows: 900,000
in North America, 500,000 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and
100,000 in Japan.
The company"s previous target of selling 3 million consoles in the
first 90 days from launch has now been lowered to 2.5 million as a
direct result of the component shortages. Microsoft remains confident
that a solution to the supply problem can be found, and still expects
to sell 4.5 to 5.5 million by June as manufacturing and retail supply
continues around the clock.