I'd like to share an interesting article on Microsoft's profits published a while ago:

10 Reinvigorating Facts About Microsoft's Profits

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Microsoft last week announced quarterly revenue of $14.4 billion and net income of $4.93 billion. In other words, Microsoft's daily net income is about $55 million. That's $55 million in pure profit every 24 hours. Do some quick math and you'll learn it takes Microsoft only about...

  • 10 hours or so (yes, hours!) to exceed Red Hat's (NYSE: RHT - News) quarterly net income of $20.5 million.
  • four days to exceed Research In Motion's (NasdaqGS: RIMM) quarterly net income of $187.9 million.
  • four days to exceed Starbucks' (NasdaqGS: SBUX) quarterly net income of $205 million.
  • one week to exceed Nike's (NYSE: NKE - News) quarterly net income of $350.8 million.
  • two weeks to exceed McDonalds' (NYSE: MCD - News) quarterly net income of $762 million.
  • two weeks to exceed Apple's (NasdaqGS: AAPL) quarterly net income of $770 million.
  • 18 days to exceed Google's (NasdaqGS: GOOG) quarterly net income of $1 billion.
  • 23 days to exceed Coca-Cola's (NYSE: KO - News) quarterly net income of $1.26 billion.
  • five weeks to exceed IBM's (NYSE: IBM - News) quarterly net income of $1.85 billion.
  • 10 weeks to exceed Wal-Mart's (NYSE: WMT - News) quarterly net income of $3.9 billion.

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    While I feel impressed and proud, I realize it's challenging for Microsoft to keep or even exceed the current achievement. To grow a multi-billion business, in my opinion, is way harder than to grow a multi-million business. The dynamics of the IT software industry are changing in a very fast pace. Customers expect constantly innovations and there’re new competitors coming up every day. Nevertheless, I strongly believe Microsoft will continue to excel with her smart employees, firm leadership, and healthy corporate culture.