Hints of Woe as Microsoft Posts Gains
New York Times story by John Markoff.

“SAN FRANCISCO, April 18 [~] Microsoft, the world’s largest software publisher, delivered what it said were strong PC software results today combined with weaker corporate sales for its third fiscal quarter in 2002, suggesting that the company is being held back by the stagnant economy.

Microsoft also scaled back its projections for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2002 and for its 2003 fiscal year. The pessimistic guidance indicated that like the world’s largest computer maker, I.B.M., which reported disappointing first-quarter results on Wednesday, Microsoft is having trouble escaping a dismal corporate business environment.”