Microsoft reported quarterly revenue of $90 billion and net income of $35.8 billion for the period ending June 30. Azure revenue grew 43 percent year-over-year, exceeding analyst estimates, while Microsoft 365 Copilot reached over 30 million paid seats. Shares rose more than 8 percent in after-hours trading following the results and forward guidance.
“Microsoft logs $3.2B from Anthropic investment, but OpenAI was a mixed bag”
Read at TechCrunch →“Microsoft cloud forecast beats estimates as cash keeps flowing from AI, shares rise”
Read at CNA →No right-leaning sources covered this
Strong results highlight concentration of AI-driven cash flows among large tech firms, with gains primarily accruing to shareholders rather than broader stakeholders.
“Distributional effects and potential external costs from data center expansion”
Results demonstrate the effectiveness of private-sector innovation and disciplined capital allocation in AI infrastructure without government subsidies.
“Market rewards for competitive enterprise and technological leadership”
Outcomes reflect voluntary customer choices and decentralized capital allocation between firms pursuing mutual advantage.
“Absence of central direction and market signals of efficiency”
All three perspectives overlook how the lease accounting change and circular elements of the Anthropic deal may inflate the appearance of organic growth and efficiency.
“Unexamined accounting and transaction mechanics that affect interpretation of capex and revenue figures”
Ratings by MBFC