Microsoft’s 1QFY14 Earnings: Back On Track

Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT) earnings for the last quarter of its 2013 fiscal year (FY13) had left investors deeply unsatisfied, and its stock price had dropped more than 11% subsequent to the announcement. Its results had been in keeping with recent trends however – Microsoft had missed revenue expectations in four out of the five preceding quarters as well.

Investors had many reasons to turn bearish on the company – the Microsoft management had announced a large write-down of its Surface inventory, which had added to worries arising from the overall slowing demand for PCs, the company’s marginal presence in the smartphone and tablet markets, and skepticism on its restructuring initiatives and devices and services strategy.

This quarter (1QFY14), however, Microsoft beat analyst expectations due to strong growth in its enterprise segment, and commendable performance in its consumer segments. Investors rushed to snap up the stock, which pushed the share-price up 6%.

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Microsoft’s CEO Search – And Then There Were Two

Earlier this year, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's (MSFT) CEO, announced major realignments to the existing structure of the company. Ballmer rallied behind a single strategy for the entire company, which was termed as 'One Microsoft’. This policy was to allow the company to share common visions and goals, and at the same time, help build a range of devices for individuals and businesses, with a strong leaning towards some of today’s most popular activities, such as gaming and social networking.

However, a month after announcing the restructure program, Steve Ballmer declared his plans to retire from the company. Ballmer cited pressure from the board of directors to speed up Microsoft’s transformation and his own belief that his way of thinking was slowing down the company as the reason why he is chose to sever ties with the company.

The Redmond based company’s metamorphosis and its consequent success depends heavily on whoever takes the reins of the company after Ballmer’s exit. Investors realize the fact that new leadership for Microsoft holds tremendous potential for the overall growth for the company. The sentiment was reflected by investors when Microsoft’s shares went up 9% following the news of Ballmer’s retirement.

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Apple vs. Microsoft – A Rivalry Fought On Digital Grounds

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Microsoft Hones in on Potential CEO

Last year, Steve Ballmer, announced his retirement a month after restructuring the whole organization. Since then, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has been searching for a CEO but its efforts have not borne fruit as yet. The company is now eyeing Ericsson’s (ERIC) chief executive officer Hans Vestberg for the position.

The original list included former Nokia (NOK) CEO Stephen Elop, Microsoft’s Cloud Computing chief Satya Nadella, and Microsoft’s EVP of Business Development Tony Bates. Ford’s (F) Alan Mulally, 68, who had been under consideration for the Microsoft job, said last week that he plans to stay at the automaker.

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