Microsoft had a blow out quarter exceeding analysts expectations on both revenues $14.4B and profits $4.9B. Microsoft also provided guidance for Fiscal year 2008 of $57B in revenue and Operating Income of $22 Billion. This represents growth of more than $5 Billion over this year.

Nick Carr, a frequent Microsoft critic, had glowing words for the quarter and future outlook.

"To put Microsoft's results in context, it's useful to compare them to those of the juggernaut that is Apple Inc. Apple's sales in the last quarter soared 21% over year-earlier levels, rising from $4.4 billion to $5.3 billion. It was, as headline writers put it, a "blowout" quarter. But Apple's growth pales in comparison to Microsoft's. Microsoft, a much larger company than Apple, increased its sales by 32% in the quarter, from $10.9 to $14.4 billion."

This earnings report was good news for Microsoft stockholders. The stock was up 3.5% yesterday and continued its upward climb today.  Microsoft returned $7.72 billion in cash to shareholders this quarter through stock buybacks and dividends.

Next week at Microsoft's Mix 07 you can expect to hear more good news. Mix is Microsoft's Interactive Exchange conference for web developers and designers. Ray Ozzie is doing one of the keynote speeches that should reveal some of his plans for Microsoft's Live Services vision.