Microsoft Profit Exceeds Estimates on Xbox, Corporate Demand

Microsoft Corp., the world’s largest software maker, reported second-quarter profit that beat estimates, lifted by holiday sales of Xbox machines and Kinect sensors, as well as corporate software demand.

Net income was $6.62 billion, or 78 cents a share, compared with $6.63 billion, or 77 cents, a year earlier, Microsoft said today in a statement. Sales rose to $20.9 billion, matching estimates. Analysts had predicted 76 cents in profit on average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.