Item 1. Unrealized Losses on Debt Investments

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Item 1. Unrealized Losses on Debt Investments

Unrealized Losses on Debt Investments

Debt investments with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months and 12 months or greater and their related fair values were as follows:

Less than 12 Months12 Months or GreaterTotal Unrealized Losses
(In millions)Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesTotal Fair Value
September 30, 2024
U.S. government and agency securities$146$**(**2)$46,240$**(**1,826)$46,386$**(**1,828)
Foreign government bonds12**(**1)144**(**8)156**(**9)
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities00287**(**22)287**(**22)
Corporate notes and bonds134**(**1)4,963**(**166)5,097**(**167)
Municipal securities00242**(**23)242**(**23)
Total$292$**(**4)$51,876$**(**2,045)$52,168$**(**2,049)
Less than 12 Months12 Months or GreaterTotal Unrealized Losses
(In millions)Fair ValueUnrealized LossesFair ValueUnrealized LossesTotal Fair Value
June 30, 2024
U.S. government and agency securities$529$(12)$45,821$(2,936)$46,350$(2,948)
Foreign government bonds79(2)180(14)259(16)
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities201(1)409(34)610(35)
Corporate notes and bonds1,310(9)5,779(310)7,089(319)
Municipal securities38(1)243(29)281(30)
Total$2,157$(25)$52,432$(3,323)$54,589$(3,348)

Unrealized losses from fixed-income securities are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. Management does not believe any remaining unrealized losses represent impairments based on our evaluation of available evidence.

Debt Investment Maturities

The following table outlines maturities of our debt investments as of September 30, 2024:

(In millions)Adjusted Cost BasisEstimated Fair Value
September 30, 2024
Due in one year or less$24,446$24,331
Due after one year through five years37,15335,927
Due after five years through 10 years7,3386,865
Due after 10 years1,4191,334
Total$70,356$68,457

NOTE 5 — DERIVATIVES

We use derivative instruments to manage risks related to foreign currencies, interest rates, equity prices, and credit; to enhance investment returns; and to facilitate portfolio diversification. Our objectives for holding derivatives include reducing, eliminating, and efficiently managing the economic impact of these exposures as effectively as possible. Our derivative programs include strategies that both qualify and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

Foreign Currencies

Certain forecasted transactions, assets, and liabilities are exposed to foreign currency risk. We monitor our foreign currency exposures daily to maximize the economic effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions.

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Foreign currency risks related to certain Euro-denominated debt are hedged using foreign exchange forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Certain options and forwards not designated as hedging instruments are also used to manage the variability in foreign exchange rates on certain balance sheet amounts and to manage other foreign currency exposures.

Interest Rate

Interest rate risks related to certain fixed-rate debt are hedged using interest rate swaps that are designated as fair value hedging instruments to effectively convert the fixed interest rates to floating interest rates.

Securities held in our fixed-income portfolio are subject to different interest rate risks based on their maturities. We manage the average maturity of our fixed-income portfolio to achieve economic returns that correlate to certain broad-based fixed-income indices using option, futures, and swap contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are included in “Other contracts” in the tables below.

Equity

Securities held in our equity investments portfolio are subject to market price risk. At times, we may hold options, futures, and swap contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments.

Credit

Our fixed-income portfolio is diversified and consists primarily of investment-grade securities. We use credit default swap contracts to manage credit exposures relative to broad-based indices and to facilitate portfolio diversification. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are included in “Other contracts” in the tables below.

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

Certain counterparty agreements for derivative instruments contain provisions that require our issued and outstanding long-term unsecured debt to maintain an investment grade credit rating and require us to maintain minimum liquidity of $1.0 billion. To the extent we fail to meet these requirements, we will be required to post collateral, similar to the standard convention related to over-the-counter derivatives. As of September 30, 2024, our long-term unsecured debt rating was AAA, and cash investments were in excess of $1.0 billion. As a result, no collateral was required to be posted.

The following table presents the notional amounts of our outstanding derivative instruments measured in U.S. dollar equivalents:

(In millions)September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts purchased$1,492$1,492
Interest rate contracts purchased1,1441,100
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts purchased8,4387,167
Foreign exchange contracts sold22,55931,793
Equity contracts purchased4,2904,016
Equity contracts sold2,1652,165
Other contracts purchased2,8292,113
Other contracts sold1,121811

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Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents our derivative instruments:

(In millions)Derivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts$50$**(**65)$24$(76)
Interest rate contracts50190
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts189**(**615)213(230)
Equity contracts68**(**804)63(491)
Other contracts6**(**6)12(3)
Gross amounts of derivatives318**(**1,490)331(800)
Gross amounts of derivatives offset in the balance sheets**(**196)198(151)152
Cash collateral received0**(**18)0(104)
Net amounts of derivatives$122$**(**1,310)$180$(752)
Reported as
Short-term investments$**(**1)$0$12$0
Other current assets11801490
Other long-term assets50190
Other current liabilities0**(**900)0(401)
Other long-term liabilities0**(**410)0(351)
Total$122$**(**1,310)$180$(752)

Gross derivative assets and liabilities subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements for which we have elected to offset were $306 million and $1.5 billion, respectively, as of September 30, 2024, and $304 million and $800 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2024.

The following table presents the fair value of our derivatives instruments on a gross basis:

(In millions)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
September 30, 2024
Derivative assets$0$313$5$318
Derivative liabilities**(**1)**(**1,489)0**(**1,490)
June 30, 2024
Derivative assets03274331
Derivative liabilities(1)(799)0(800)

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Gains (losses) on derivative instruments recognized in other income (expense), net were as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
Interest rate contracts
Derivatives$20$(16)
Hedged items**(**32)3
Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss49(46)
Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts**(**383)206
Equity contracts**(**348)113
Other contracts24(33)

Gains (losses), net of tax, on derivative instruments recognized in our consolidated comprehensive income statements were as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Included in effectiveness assessment$29$(15)

NOTE 6 — INVENTORIES

The components of inventories were as follows:

(In millions)
September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Raw materials$488$394
Work in process117
Finished goods1,127845
Total$1,626$1,246

NOTE 7 — BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

On October 13, 2023, we completed our acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (“Activision Blizzard”) for a total purchase price of $75.4 billion, consisting primarily of cash. Activision Blizzard is a leader in game development and an interactive entertainment content publisher. The acquisition will accelerate the growth in our gaming business across mobile, PC, console, and cloud gaming. The financial results of Activision Blizzard have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition. Activision Blizzard is reported as part of our More Personal Computing segment.

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The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was completed as of September 30, 2024. The major classes of assets and liabilities to which we have allocated the purchase price were as follows:

(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$12,976
Goodwill51,001
Intangible assets21,969
Other assets2,503
Long-term debt(2,799)
Long-term income taxes(1,946)
Deferred income taxes(4,676)
Other liabilities(3,620)
Total purchase price$75,408

Goodwill was assigned to our More Personal Computing segment. The goodwill was primarily attributed to increased synergies that are expected to be achieved from the integration of Activision Blizzard. Substantially all of the goodwill is expected to be non-deductible for income tax purposes.

Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired:

(In millions, except average life)AmountWeighted Average Life
Marketing-related$11,61924 years
Technology-based9,6894 years
Customer-related6614 years
Fair value of intangible assets acquired$21,96915 years

Following are the supplemental consolidated financial results of Microsoft Corporation on an unaudited pro forma basis, as if the acquisition had been consummated on July 1, 2022:

(In millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Revenue$58,561
Net income22,314
Diluted earnings per share2.99

These pro forma results were based on estimates and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable. They are not the results that would have been realized had we been a combined company during the periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of our consolidated results of operations in future periods. The pro forma results include adjustments related to purchase accounting, primarily amortization of intangible assets. Acquisition costs and other nonrecurring charges were immaterial and are included in the earliest period presented.

NOTE 8 — GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:

(In millions)June 30, 2024AcquisitionsOtherSeptember 30, 2024
Productivity and Business Processes$31,361$0$44$31,405
Intelligent Cloud25,64802225,670
More Personal Computing62,21108862,299
Total$119,220$0$154$119,374

We have recast certain prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor our business. Refer to Note 1 – Accounting Policies for further information.

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The measurement periods for the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed end as soon as information on the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition dates becomes available, but do not exceed 12 months. Adjustments in purchase price allocations may require a change in the amounts allocated to goodwill during the periods in which the adjustments are determined.

Any change in the goodwill amounts resulting from foreign currency translations and purchase accounting adjustments are presented as “Other” in the table above. Also included in “Other” are business dispositions and transfers between segments due to reorganizations, as applicable.

As discussed in Note 1 – Accounting Policies, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 we made changes to our segments. These segment changes also resulted in changes to our reporting units. We reallocated goodwill across impacted reporting units using a relative fair value approach. In addition, we completed an assessment of any potential goodwill impairment for all reporting units immediately prior to the reallocation and determined that no impairment existed.

NOTE 9 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The components of intangible assets, all of which are finite-lived, were as follows:

(In millions)Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying AmountGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Amount
September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Marketing-related$16,490$**(**3,296)$13,194$16,500$(3,101)$13,399
Technology-based22,426**(**11,709)10,71721,913(10,741)11,172
Customer-related6,039**(**3,261)2,7786,038(3,051)2,987
Contract-based81**(**19)6258(19)39
Total$45,036$**(**18,285)$26,751$44,509$(16,912)$27,597

Intangible assets amortization expense was $1.4 billion and $636 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets held as of September 30, 2024:

(In millions)
Year Ending June 30,
2025 (excluding the three months ended September 30, 2024)$4,563
20264,538
20272,847
20281,961
20291,780
Thereafter11,062
Total$26,751

NOTE 10 — DEBT

Short-term Debt

As of September 30, 2024, we had no commercial paper issued or outstanding. As of June 30, 2024, we had $6.7 billion of commercial paper issued and outstanding, with a weighted average interest rate of 5.4% and maturities ranging from 28 days to 152 days. The estimated fair value of this commercial paper approximates its carrying value.

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Long-term Debt

The components of long-term debt were as follows:

(In millions, issuance by calendar year)Maturities (calendar year)Stated Interest RateEffective Interest RateSeptember 30, 2024June 30, 2024
2009 issuance of $3.8 billion20395.20**%**5.24**%**$520$520
2010 issuance of $4.8 billion20404.50**%**4.57**%**486486
2011 issuance of $2.3 billion20415.30**%**5.36**%**718718
2012 issuance of $2.3 billion20423.50**%**3.57**%**454454
2013 issuance of $5.2 billion20433.75**%**–4.88**%**3.83**%**–4.92**%**314314
2013 issuance of €4.1 billion2028–20332.63**%**–3.13**%**2.69**%**–3.22**%**2,5672,465
2015 issuance of $23.8 billion2025–20552.70**%**–4.75**%**2.77**%**–4.78**%**9,8059,805
2016 issuance of $19.8 billion2026–20562.40**%**–3.95**%**2.46**%**–4.03**%**7,9307,930
2017 issuance of $17.1 billion2026–20573.30**%**–4.50**%**3.38**%**–5.49**%**6,8336,833
2020 issuance of $10.1 billion2030–20601.35**%**–2.68**%**2.53**%**–5.43**%**10,11110,111
2021 issuance of $8.2 billion2052–20622.92**%**–3.04**%**2.92**%**–3.04**%**8,1858,185
2023 issuance of $0.1 billion2026–20501.35**%**–4.50**%**5.16**%**–5.49**%**5656
2024 issuance of $3.3 billion2026–20501.35**%**–4.50**%**5.16**%**–5.49**%**3,3443,344
Total face value51,32351,221
Unamortized discount and issuance costs**(**1,209)(1,227)
Hedge fair value adjustments (a)**(**49)(81)
Premium on debt exchange**(**4,948)(4,976)
Total debt45,11744,937
Current portion of long-term debt**(**2,249)(2,249)
Long-term debt$42,868$42,688

(a)

Refer to Note 5 – Derivatives for further information on the interest rate swaps related to fixed-rate debt.

As of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $44.6 billion and $42.3 billion, respectively. The estimated fair values are based on Level 2 inputs.

Debt in the table above is comprised of senior unsecured obligations and ranks equally with our other outstanding obligations. Interest is paid semi-annually, except for the Euro-denominated debt, which is paid annually.

The following table outlines maturities of our long-term debt, including the current portion, as of September 30, 2024:

(In millions)
Year Ending June 30,
2025 (excluding the three months ended September 30, 2024)$2,250
20263,000
20279,250
20280
20291,953
Thereafter34,870
Total$51,323

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NOTE 11 — INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rate was 19% and 18% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate for the current quarter compared to the prior year was primarily due to tax benefits from tax law changes in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, including the impact from the issuance of Notice 2023-55 by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and U.S. Treasury Department, which delayed the effective date of final foreign tax credit regulations to fiscal year 2024 for Microsoft. Notice 2023-80, issued in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, further delayed the effective date of final foreign tax credit regulations indefinitely.

Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to earnings taxed at lower rates in foreign jurisdictions resulting from producing and distributing our products and services through our foreign regional operations center in Ireland.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, unrecognized tax benefits and other income tax liabilities were $25.9 billion and $24.9 billion, respectively, and are included in long-term income taxes in our consolidated balance sheets.

We remain under audit by the IRS for tax years 2014 to 2017. With respect to the audit for tax years 2004 to 2013, on September 26, 2023, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPAs”) from the IRS. The primary issues in the NOPAs relate to intercompany transfer pricing. In the NOPAs, the IRS is seeking an additional tax payment of $28.9 billion plus penalties and interest. As of September 30, 2024, we believe our allowances for income tax contingencies are adequate. We disagree with the proposed adjustments and will vigorously contest the NOPAs through the IRS’s administrative appeals office and, if necessary, judicial proceedings. We do not expect a final resolution of these issues in the next 12 months. Based on the information currently available, we do not anticipate a significant increase or decrease to our income tax contingencies for these issues within the next 12 months.

We are subject to income tax in many jurisdictions outside the U.S. Our operations in certain jurisdictions remain subject to examination for tax years 1996 to 2024, some of which are currently under audit by local tax authorities. The resolution of each of these audits is not expected to be material to our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 12 — UNEARNED REVENUE

Unearned revenue by segment was as follows:

(In millions)
September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Productivity and Business Processes$40,429$43,599
Intelligent Cloud12,39713,683
More Personal Computing2,8632,902
Total$55,689$60,184

We have recast certain prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor our business. Refer to Note 1 – Accounting Policies for further information.

Changes in unearned revenue were as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Balance, beginning of period$60,184
Deferral of revenue37,642
Recognition of unearned revenue**(**42,137)
Balance, end of period$55,689

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Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations, which includes unearned revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods, was $266 billion as of September 30, 2024, of which $259 billion is related to the commercial portion of revenue. We expect to recognize approximately 45% of our total company remaining performance obligation revenue over the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter.

NOTE 13 — LEASES

We have operating and finance leases for datacenters, corporate offices, research and development facilities, Microsoft Experience Centers, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of less than 1 year to 17 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Operating lease cost$1,161$775
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$696$380
Interest on lease liabilities275149
Total finance lease cost$971$529

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$1,207$795
Operating cash flows from finance leases275149
Financing cash flows from finance leases802285
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases1,8921,804
Finance leases4,3321,704

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Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

(In millions, except lease term and discount rate)
September 30, 2024June 30, 2024
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets$20,528$18,961
Other current liabilities$4,009$3,580
Operating lease liabilities16,36115,497
Total operating lease liabilities$20,370$19,077
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, at cost$37,186$32,248
Accumulated depreciation**(**7,070)(6,386)
Property and equipment, net$30,116$25,862
Other current liabilities$2,504$2,349
Other long-term liabilities28,84724,796
Total finance lease liabilities$31,351$27,145
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases7 years7 years
Finance leases12 years12 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases3.4**%**3.3%
Finance leases4.0**%**3.9%

The following table outlines maturities of our lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024:

(In millions)
Year Ending June 30,Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2025 (excluding the three months ended September 30, 2024)$3,386$2,742
20264,1223,697
20273,4113,720
20282,7543,706
20292,1243,099
Thereafter7,17422,745
Total lease payments22,97139,709
Less imputed interest**(**2,601)**(**8,358)
Total$20,370$31,351

As of September 30, 2024, we had additional operating and finance leases, primarily for datacenters, that had not yet commenced of $7.4 billion and $108.7 billion, respectively. These operating and finance leases will commence between fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2030 with lease terms of 1 year to 20 years.

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NOTE 14 — CONTINGENCIES

U.S. Cell Phone Litigation

Microsoft Mobile Oy, a subsidiary of Microsoft, along with other handset manufacturers and network operators, is a defendant in 45 lawsuits filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia by individual plaintiffs who allege that radio emissions from cellular handsets caused their brain tumors and other adverse health effects. We assumed responsibility for these claims in our agreement to acquire Nokia’s Devices and Services business and have been substituted for the Nokia defendants. Twelve of these cases were consolidated for certain pre-trial proceedings; the remaining cases are stayed. In a separate 2009 decision, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia held that adverse health effect claims arising from the use of cellular handsets that operate within the U.S. Federal Communications Commission radio frequency emission guidelines (“FCC Guidelines”) are pre-empted by federal law. The plaintiffs allege that their handsets either operated outside the FCC Guidelines or were manufactured before the FCC Guidelines went into effect. The lawsuits also allege an industry-wide conspiracy to manipulate the science and testing around emission guidelines.

In 2013, the defendants in the consolidated cases moved to exclude the plaintiffs’ expert evidence of general causation on the basis of flawed scientific methodologies. In 2014, the trial court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion to exclude the plaintiffs’ general causation experts. The defendants filed an interlocutory appeal to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals challenging the standard for evaluating expert scientific evidence. In October 2016, the Court of Appeals issued its decision adopting the standard advocated by the defendants and remanding the cases to the trial court for further proceedings under that standard. The plaintiffs have filed supplemental expert evidence, portions of which were stricken by the court. A hearing on general causation took place in September of 2022. In April of 2023, the court granted defendants’ motion to strike the testimony of plaintiffs’ experts that cell phones cause brain cancer and entered an order excluding all of plaintiffs’ experts from testifying. The parties agreed to a stipulated dismissal of the consolidated cases to allow plaintiffs to appeal the expert testimony order. Plaintiffs appealed the court’s order in August of 2023, and the parties have filed their briefs on the appeal. A hearing on the status of the stayed cases occurred in December of 2023. In July 2024, the court entered summary judgment in nine of the stayed cases on the grounds that plaintiffs had agreed to be bound by the general causation outcome in the consolidated cases.

Irish Data Protection Commission Matter

In 2018, the Irish Data Protection Commission (“IDPC”) began investigating a complaint against LinkedIn as to whether LinkedIn’s targeted advertising practices violated the recently implemented European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). Microsoft cooperated throughout the period of inquiry. In April 2023, the IDPC provided LinkedIn with a non-public preliminary draft decision alleging GDPR violations and proposing a fine. In July 2024, the IDPC provided LinkedIn with a revised non-public draft decision. In October 2024, the IDPC provided LinkedIn with a final decision, and LinkedIn is considering its options to appeal.

Other Contingencies

We also are subject to a variety of other claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Although management currently believes that resolving claims against us, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact in our consolidated financial statements, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future.

As of September 30, 2024, we accrued aggregate legal liabilities of $492 million. While we intend to defend these matters vigorously, adverse outcomes that we estimate could reach approximately $600 million in aggregate beyond recorded amounts are reasonably possible. Were unfavorable final outcomes to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact in our consolidated financial statements for the period in which the effects become reasonably estimable.

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NOTE 15 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share Repurchases

On September 14, 2021, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing up to $60.0 billion in share repurchases. This share repurchase program commenced in November 2021, has no expiration date, and may be terminated at any time. As of September 30, 2024, $7.5 billion remained of this $60.0 billion share repurchase program.

On September 16, 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing up to $60.0 billion in share repurchases. This share repurchase program will commence following completion of the program approved on September 14, 2021, has no expiration date, and may be terminated at any time.

We repurchased the following shares of common stock under the share repurchase program:

(In millions)SharesAmountSharesAmount
Fiscal Year20252024
First Quarter7$2,80011$3,560

All repurchases were made using cash resources. All shares repurchased were under the share repurchase program approved on September 14, 2021. The above table excludes shares repurchased to settle employee tax withholding related to the vesting of stock awards of $1.3 billion for the first quarter of both fiscal years 2025 and 2024.

Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared the following dividends:

Declaration DateRecord DatePayment DateDividend Per ShareAmount
Fiscal Year 2025(In millions)
September 16, 2024November 21, 2024December 12, 2024$0.83$6,172
Fiscal Year 2024
September 19, 2023November 16, 2023December 14, 2023$0.75$5,574

The dividend declared on September 16, 2024 was included in other current liabilities as of September 30, 2024.

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NOTE 16 — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Derivatives
Balance, beginning of period$**(**3)$(27)
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of **$**7 and $(4)29(15)
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in other income (expense), net**(**49)46
Tax expense (benefit) included in provision for income taxes10(10)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss**(**39)36
Net change related to derivatives, net of tax of $(3) and $6**(**10)21
Balance, end of period$**(**13)$(6)
Investments
Balance, beginning of period$**(**2,625)$(3,582)
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of **$**297 and $(75)1,118(283)
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in other income (expense), net**(**5)29
Tax expense (benefit) included in provision for income taxes1(6)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss**(**4)23
Net change related to investments, net of tax of **$**296 and $(69)1,114(260)
Balance, end of period$**(**1,511)$(3,842)
Translation Adjustments and Other
Balance, beginning of period$**(**2,962)$(2,734)
Translation adjustments and other, net of tax of **$**0 and $0304(355)
Balance, end of period$**(**2,658)$(3,089)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period$**(**4,182)$(6,937)

NOTE 17 — SEGMENT INFORMATION AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA

In its operation of the business, management, including our chief operating decision maker, who is also our Chief Executive Officer, reviews certain financial information, including segmented internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis not consistent with GAAP. During the periods presented, we reported our financial performance based on the following segments: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing.

We have recast certain prior period amounts to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor our business. Refer to Note 1 – Accounting Policies for further information.

Our reportable segments are described below.

Productivity and Business Processes

Our Productivity and Business Processes segment consists of products and services in our portfolio of productivity, communication, and information services, spanning a variety of devices and platforms. This segment primarily comprises:

Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services, including Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud, comprising Microsoft 365 Commercial, Enterprise Mobility + Security, the cloud portion of Windows Commercial, the per-user portion of Power BI, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft Viva, and Microsoft 365 Copilot; and Microsoft 365 Commercial products, comprising Windows Commercial on-premises and Office licensed on-premises.

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Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services, including Microsoft 365 Consumer subscriptions, Office licensed on-premises, and other consumer services.

LinkedIn, including Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Premium Subscriptions, and Sales Solutions.

Dynamics products and cloud services, including Dynamics 365, comprising a set of intelligent, cloud-based applications across ERP, CRM, Power Apps, and Power Automate; and on-premises ERP and CRM applications.

Intelligent Cloud

Our Intelligent Cloud segment consists of our public, private, and hybrid server products and cloud services that can power modern business and developers. This segment primarily comprises:

Server products and cloud services, including Azure and other cloud services, comprising cloud and AI consumption-based services, GitHub cloud services, Nuance Healthcare cloud services, virtual desktop offerings, and other cloud services; and Server products, comprising SQL Server, Windows Server, Visual Studio, System Center, related Client Access Licenses (“CALs”), and other on-premises offerings.

Enterprise and partner services, including Enterprise Support Services, Industry Solutions, Nuance professional services, Microsoft Partner Network, and Learning Experience.

More Personal Computing

Our More Personal Computing segment consists of products and services that put customers at the center of the experience with our technology. This segment primarily comprises:

Windows and Devices, including Windows, comprising Windows OEM licensing (Windows Pro and non-Pro licenses sold through the OEM channel), Windows Internet of Things, and patent licensing; and Devices, comprising Surface, HoloLens, and PC accessories.

Gaming, including Xbox hardware and Xbox content and services, comprising first- and third-party content (including games and in-game content), Xbox Game Pass and other subscriptions, Xbox Cloud Gaming, advertising, third-party disc royalties, and other cloud services.

Search and news advertising, comprising Bing (including Copilot), Microsoft News, Microsoft Edge, and third-party affiliates.

Revenue and costs are generally directly attributed to our segments. However, due to the integrated structure of our business, certain revenue recognized and costs incurred by one segment may benefit other segments. Revenue from certain contracts is allocated among the segments based on the relative value of the underlying products and services, which can include allocation based on actual prices charged, prices when sold separately, or estimated costs plus a profit margin. Cost of revenue is allocated in certain cases based on a relative revenue methodology. Operating expenses that are allocated primarily include those relating to marketing of products and services from which multiple segments benefit and are generally allocated based on relative gross margin.

In addition, certain costs are incurred at a corporate level and allocated to our segments. These allocated costs generally include legal, including settlements and fines, information technology, human resources, finance, excise taxes, field selling, shared facilities services, customer service and support, and severance incurred as part of a corporate program. Each allocation is measured differently based on the specific facts and circumstances of the costs being allocated and is generally based on relative gross margin or relative headcount.

PART I

Item 1

Segment revenue and operating income were as follows during the periods presented:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Revenue
Productivity and Business Processes$28,317$25,226
Intelligent Cloud24,09220,013
More Personal Computing13,17611,278
Total$65,585$56,517
Operating Income
Productivity and Business Processes$16,516$14,297
Intelligent Cloud10,5038,908
More Personal Computing3,5333,690
Total$30,552$26,895

No sales to an individual customer or country other than the United States accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023. Revenue, classified by the major geographic areas in which our customers were located, was as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
United States (a)$33,913$28,812
Other countries31,67227,705
Total$65,585$56,517

(a)

Includes billings to OEMs and certain multinational organizations because of the nature of these businesses and the impracticability of determining the geographic source of the revenue.

Revenue, classified by significant product and service offerings, was as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Server products and cloud services$22,155$18,062
Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services20,44918,044
Gaming5,6213,919
Windows and Devices4,3294,340
LinkedIn4,2923,913
Search and news advertising3,2253,018
Enterprise and partner services1,9281,944
Dynamics products and cloud services1,8491,626
Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services1,7271,643
Other108
Total$65,585$56,517

Our Microsoft Cloud revenue, which includes Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud, Azure and other cloud services, the commercial portion of LinkedIn, and Dynamics 365, was $38.9 billion and $31.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are primarily included in Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services, Server products and cloud services, LinkedIn, and Dynamics products and cloud services in the table above.

Assets are not allocated to segments for internal reporting presentations. A portion of amortization and depreciation is included with various other costs in an overhead allocation to each segment. It is impracticable for us to separately identify the amount of amortization and depreciation by segment that is included in the measure of segment profit or loss.

PART I

Item 1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGIST****ERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Microsoft Corporation

Results of Review of Interim Financial Information

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Microsoft Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2024, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ equity for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial information”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial information for it to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ equity for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated July 30, 2024, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

Basis for Review Results

This interim financial information is the responsibility of the Company's management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Seattle, Washington

October 30, 2024

PART I

Item 2

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Note About Forward-Looking Statements

This report includes estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including the following sections: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” (Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. We describe risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” (Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-Q), and “Risk Factors”. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Microsoft Corporation. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024, and our financial statements and the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

OVERVIEW

Microsoft is a technology company committed to making digital technology and artificial intelligence (“AI”) available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We create platforms and tools, powered by AI, that deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers.

We generate revenue by offering a wide range of cloud-based solutions, content, and other services to people and businesses; licensing and supporting an array of software products; delivering relevant online advertising to a global audience; and designing and selling devices. Our most significant expenses are related to compensating employees; supporting and investing in our cloud-based services, including datacenter operations; designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling our other products and services; and income taxes.

Highlights from the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 compared with the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 included:

Microsoft Cloud revenue increased 22% to $38.9 billion.

Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 13% driven by Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue growth of 15%.

Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services revenue increased 5% driven by Microsoft 365 Consumer cloud revenue growth of 6%.

LinkedIn revenue increased 10%.

Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased 14% driven by Dynamics 365 revenue growth of 18%.

Server products and cloud services revenue increased 23% driven by Azure and other cloud services revenue growth of 33%.

Windows OEM and Devices revenue increased 2%.

Xbox content and services revenue increased 61% driven by 53 points of net impact from the Activision Blizzard Inc. (“Activision Blizzard”) acquisition. The net impact reflects the change of Activision Blizzard content from third-party to first-party.

Search and news advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 18%.

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Industry Trends

Our industry is dynamic and highly competitive, with frequent changes in both technologies and business models. Each industry shift is an opportunity to conceive new products, new technologies, or new ideas that can further transform the industry and our business. At Microsoft, we push the boundaries of what is possible through a broad range of research and development activities that seek to identify and address the changing demands of customers and users, industry trends, and competitive forces.

Economic Conditions, Challenges, and Risks

The markets for software, devices, and cloud-based services are dynamic and highly competitive. Our competitors are developing new software and devices, while also deploying competing cloud-based services for consumers and businesses. The devices and form factors customers prefer evolve rapidly, influencing how users access services in the cloud and, in some cases, the user’s choice of which suite of cloud-based services to use. Aggregate demand for our software, services, and devices is also correlated to global macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, which remain dynamic. We must continue to evolve and adapt over an extended time in pace with this changing environment.

The investments we are making in cloud and AI infrastructure and devices will continue to increase our operating costs and may decrease our operating margins. We continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to expand our datacenter locations and increase our server capacity to meet the evolving needs of our customers, particularly given the growing demand for AI services. Our datacenters depend on the availability of permitted and buildable land, predictable energy, networking supplies, and servers, including graphics processing units (“GPUs”) and other components. Our devices are primarily manufactured by third-party contract manufacturers. For the majority of our products, we have the ability to use other manufacturers if a current vendor becomes unavailable or unable to meet our requirements. However, some of our products contain certain components for which there are very few qualified suppliers. Extended disruptions at these suppliers could impact our ability to manufacture devices on time to meet consumer demand.

Our success is highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain qualified employees. We hire a mix of university and industry talent worldwide. We compete for talented individuals globally by offering an exceptional working environment, broad customer reach, scale in resources, the ability to grow one’s career across many different products and businesses, and competitive compensation and benefits.

Our international operations provide a significant portion of our total revenue and expenses. Many of these revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, changes in foreign exchange rates may significantly affect revenue and expenses. Fluctuations in the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies did not have a material impact on reported revenue and expenses from our international operations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Refer to Risk Factors (Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q) for a discussion of these factors and other risks.

Seasonality

Our revenue fluctuates quarterly and is generally higher in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year. Fourth quarter revenue is driven by a higher volume of multi-year contracts executed during the period.

Reportable Segments

We report our financial performance based on the following segments: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. The segment amounts included in MD&A are presented on a basis consistent with our internal management reporting.

In August 2024, we announced changes to the composition of our segments. These changes align our segments with how we currently manage our business, most notably bringing the commercial components of Microsoft 365 together in the Productivity and Business Processes segment. Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the information that our chief operating decision maker is regularly provided and reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance reflects these segment changes. Prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the way we internally manage and monitor our business during fiscal year 2025.

PART I

Item 2

Additional information on our reportable segments is contained in Note 17 – Segment Information and Geographic Data of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

Metrics

We use metrics in assessing the performance of our business and to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of resources. We disclose metrics to enable investors to evaluate progress against our ambitions, provide transparency into performance trends, and reflect the continued evolution of our products and services. Our commercial and other business metrics are fundamentally connected based on how customers use our products and services. The metrics are disclosed in the MD&A or the Notes to Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Financial metrics are calculated based on financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and growth comparisons relate to the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we made updates to our metrics in connection with the segment changes described above. These changes align our metrics with how we manage and monitor certain businesses. The key change was bringing the commercial components of Microsoft 365 together and creating a new Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue growth metric. Other changes include combining Windows OEM and Devices into a single revenue growth metric that brings revenue from PC market-driven businesses together, as well as elevating our cloud revenue growth metrics to align to our strategic focus on cloud growth.

Commercial

Our commercial business primarily consists of Server products and cloud services, Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services, the commercial portion of LinkedIn, Enterprise and partner services, and Dynamics products and cloud services. Our commercial metrics allow management and investors to assess the overall health of our commercial business and include leading indicators of future performance.

Commercial remaining performance obligationCommercial portion of revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations, which includes unearned revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods
Microsoft Cloud revenue and revenue growthRevenue from Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud, Azure and other cloud services, the commercial portion of LinkedIn, and Dynamics 365
Microsoft Cloud gross margin percentageGross margin percentage for our Microsoft Cloud business

PART I

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Productivity and Business Processes and Intelligent Cloud

Metrics related to our Productivity and Business Processes and Intelligent Cloud segments assess the health of our core businesses within these segments. The metrics primarily reflect growth across our cloud services.

Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue growthRevenue from Microsoft 365 Commercial subscriptions, comprising Microsoft 365 Commercial, Enterprise Mobility + Security, the cloud portion of Windows Commercial, the per-user portion of Power BI, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft Viva, and Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Commercial seat growthThe number of Microsoft 365 Commercial seats at end of period where seats are paid users covered by a Microsoft 365 Commercial subscription
Microsoft 365 Consumer cloud revenue growthRevenue from Microsoft 365 Consumer subscriptions and other consumer services
Microsoft 365 Consumer subscribersThe number of Microsoft 365 Consumer subscribers at end of period
LinkedIn revenue growthRevenue from LinkedIn, including Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Premium Subscriptions, and Sales Solutions
Dynamics 365 revenue growthRevenue from Dynamics 365, including a set of intelligent, cloud-based applications across ERP, CRM, Power Apps, and Power Automate
Azure and other cloud services revenue growthRevenue from Azure and other cloud services, including cloud and AI consumption-based services, GitHub cloud services, Nuance Healthcare cloud services, virtual desktop offerings, and other cloud services

More Personal Computing

Metrics related to our More Personal Computing segment assess the performance of our key consumer businesses.

Windows OEM and Devices revenue growthRevenue from sales of Windows Pro and non-Pro licenses sold through the OEM channel and sales of first-party Devices, including Surface, HoloLens, and PC accessories
Xbox content and services revenue growthRevenue from Xbox content and services, comprising first- and third-party content (including games and in-game content), Xbox Game Pass and other subscriptions, Xbox Cloud Gaming, advertising, third-party disc royalties, and other cloud services
Search and news advertising revenue (ex TAC) growthRevenue from search and news advertising excluding traffic acquisition costs (“TAC”) paid to Bing Ads network publishers and news partners

SUMMARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except percentages and per share amounts)Three Months Ended September 30,Percentage Change
20242023
Revenue$65,585$56,51716%
Gross margin45,48640,21513%
Operating income30,55226,89514%
Net income24,66722,29111%
Diluted earnings per share3.302.9910%

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Revenue increased $9.1 billion or 16% driven by growth across each of our segments. Intelligent Cloud revenue increased driven by Azure. Productivity and Business Processes revenue increased driven by Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud. More Personal Computing revenue increased driven by Gaming.

Cost of revenue increased $3.8 billion or 23% driven by growth in Microsoft Cloud and Gaming.

Gross margin increased $5.3 billion or 13% driven by growth across each of our segments.

Gross margin percentage decreased driven by Intelligent Cloud.

Microsoft Cloud gross margin percentage decreased to 71% driven by scaling our AI infrastructure.

Operating expenses increased $1.6 billion or 12% driven by Gaming, with 9 points of growth from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and investments in cloud engineering.

Operating income increased $3.7 billion or 14% driven by growth in Productivity and Business Processes and Intelligent Cloud.

SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except percentages)Three Months Ended September 30,Percentage Change
20242023
Revenue
Productivity and Business Processes$28,317$25,22612%
Intelligent Cloud24,09220,01320%
More Personal Computing13,17611,27817%
Total$65,585$56,51716%
Operating Income
Productivity and Business Processes$16,516$14,29716%
Intelligent Cloud10,5038,90818%
More Personal Computing3,5333,690(4)%
Total$30,552$26,89514%

Reportable Segments

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Productivity and Business Processes

Revenue increased $3.1 billion or 12%.

Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased $2.4 billion or 13%. Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud revenue grew 15% with seat growth of 8% driven by small and medium business and frontline worker offerings, as well as growth in revenue per user. Microsoft 365 Commercial products revenue grew 2% driven by the on-premises components of Microsoft 365 suite sales, offset in part by continued shift from Office Commercial products to Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud.

Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services revenue increased $84 million or 5%. Microsoft 365 Consumer cloud revenue grew 6% with Microsoft 365 Consumer subscriber growth of 10% to 84.4 million.

LinkedIn revenue increased $379 million or 10% driven by growth across all lines of business – Talent Solutions, Marketing Solutions, Premium Subscriptions, and Sales Solutions.

Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased $223 million or 14% driven by growth in Dynamics 365, offset in part by a decline in Dynamics on-premises products. Dynamics 365 revenue grew 18% driven by growth across all workloads.

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Operating income increased $2.2 billion or 16%.

Gross margin increased $2.3 billion or 11% driven by growth in Microsoft 365 Commercial cloud. Gross margin percentage decreased slightly driven by scaling our AI infrastructure.

Operating expenses increased $101 million or 2% primarily driven by investments in commercial sales and cloud engineering.

Intelligent Cloud

Revenue increased $4.1 billion or 20%.

Server products and cloud services revenue increased $4.1 billion or 23% driven by Azure and other cloud services. Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 33% driven by demand for our portfolio of services, including 12 points from our AI services. Server products revenue decreased 1% driven by lower transactional purchasing ahead of the Windows Server 2025 launch, as well as lower purchasing of licenses running in multi-cloud environments.

Enterprise and partner services revenue decreased $16 million or 1%.

Operating income increased $1.6 billion or 18%.

Gross margin increased $2.0 billion or 15% driven by growth in Azure. Gross margin percentage decreased driven by scaling our AI infrastructure.

Operating expenses increased $372 million or 8% driven by investments in Azure.

More Personal Computing

Revenue increased $1.9 billion or 17%.

Windows and Devices revenue decreased slightly. Windows OEM and Devices revenue increased 2% driven by growth in Windows OEM, offset in part by a decline in Devices.

Gaming revenue increased $1.7 billion or 43% driven by growth in Xbox content and services. Xbox content and services revenue increased 61% driven by 53 points of net impact from the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Xbox hardware revenue decreased 29% driven by lower volume of consoles sold.

Search and news advertising revenue increased $207 million or 7%. Search and news advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 18% driven by higher search volume and higher revenue per search.

Operating income decreased $157 million or 4%.

Gross margin increased $984 million or 16% driven by growth in Gaming, with 12 points of net impact from the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Gross margin percentage was relatively unchanged as improvement in Gaming and Search and news advertising was offset by sales mix shift to those businesses.

Operating expenses increased $1.1 billion or 49% driven by Gaming, with 51 points of growth from the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Research and Development

(In millions, except percentages)Three Months Ended September 30,Percentage Change
20242023
Research and development$7,544$6,65913%
As a percent of revenue12%12%0ppt

PART I

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Research and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, and other headcount-related expenses associated with product development. Research and development expenses also include third-party development and programming costs and the amortization of purchased software code and services content.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Research and development expenses increased $885 million or 13% driven by Gaming, with 8 points of growth from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and investments in cloud engineering.

Sales and Marketing

(In millions, except percentages)Three Months Ended September 30,Percentage Change
20242023
Sales and marketing$5,717$5,18710%
As a percent of revenue9%9%0ppt

Sales and marketing expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, and other headcount-related expenses associated with sales and marketing personnel, and the costs of advertising, promotions, trade shows, seminars, and other programs.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Sales and marketing expenses increased $530 million or 10% driven by Gaming, with 9 points of growth from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and investments in commercial sales.

General and Administrative

(In millions, except percentages)Three Months Ended September 30,Percentage Change
20242023
General and administrative$1,673$1,47414%
As a percent of revenue3%3%0ppt

General and administrative expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, employee severance expense incurred as part of a corporate program, and other headcount-related expenses associated with finance, legal, facilities, certain human resources and other administrative personnel, certain taxes, and legal and other administrative fees.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

General and administrative expenses increased $199 million or 14% driven by Gaming, with 11 points of growth from the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

PART I

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OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

The components of other income (expense), net were as follows:

(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,20242023
Interest and dividends income$681$1,166
Interest expense(582)(525)
Net recognized gains (losses) on investments463(107)
Net gains (losses) on derivatives(338)93
Net gains (losses) on foreign currency remeasurements176(101)
Other, net(683)(137)
Total$(283)$389

We use derivative instruments to manage risks related to foreign currencies, interest rates, equity prices, and credit; to enhance investment returns; and to facilitate portfolio diversification. Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments are primarily recognized in other income (expense), net.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Interest and dividends income decreased primarily due to lower portfolio balances. Interest expense increased primarily due to higher finance lease interest expense. Net recognized gains on investments increased primarily due to gains on equity investments in the current period as compared to losses in the prior period. Net losses on derivatives increased primarily due to losses on equity derivatives in the current period as compared to gains in the prior period. Other, net primarily reflects net recognized losses on equity method investments, including OpenAI.

INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rate

Our effective tax rate was 19% and 18% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate for the current quarter compared to the prior year was primarily due to tax benefits from tax law changes in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, including the impact from the issuance of Notice 2023-55 by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and U.S. Treasury Department, which delayed the effective date of final foreign tax credit regulations to fiscal year 2024 for Microsoft. Notice 2023-80, issued in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, further delayed the effective date of final foreign tax credit regulations indefinitely.

Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to earnings taxed at lower rates in foreign jurisdictions resulting from producing and distributing our products and services through our foreign regional operations center in Ireland.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) published its model rules “Tax Challenges Arising From the Digitalisation of the Economy - Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar Two)” which established a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% for certain multinational enterprises. Many countries have implemented or are in the process of implementing the Pillar Two legislation, which applies to Microsoft beginning in fiscal year 2025. While we do not currently estimate a material impact to our consolidated financial statements, we continue to monitor the impact as countries implement legislation and the OECD provides additional guidance.

PART I

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