4 ms·
Oh my, only 13+ billion dollars in revenue and 3 billion in net income during one of the worst economic downturns in decades. These numbers are more than Apple
by larrykubin 18y ago
Oh my, only 13+ billion dollars in revenue and 3 billion in net income during one of the worst economic downturns in decades. These numbers are more than Apple and Google combined. Total cash up from 23 billion to 25 billion. The horror.
- sharpn 18y agoTrue. But you pay a lot for the 3b as an investor. 1% earnings & negligible dividend for a 'monopoly' is not great, even in this low-interest environment. It indicates that the market (and I would guess most HN readers) do not believe MS's 'monopoly' is secure.
- tc 18y agoyou pay a lot for the 3b as an investor....It indicates that the market do not believe MS's 'monopoly' is secure. Your argument makes zero sense. You may believe MS's monopoly is insecure, but if the markets believed that as well, then you wouldn't have to pay so much to own MS. The short term dividend returns would be greater because investors would be expecting capital loss.
- sharpn 18y agoI agree, you're right about the low dividend. But the argument against paying a high price for MS's future earnings stands. I conflated two ideas, but although I actually believe MS's conservative cash position is perhaps their best strength - I still believe they had a valuable monopoly & lost their way.
- rolaec 18y agoMicrosoft has paid "special dividennds", some quite large ones (it paid 3 dollars per share , or 32 billion dollars juste a couple of years ago), so it's historical dividends aren't that bad.
- rimantas 18y agoInteresting, Apple reports "almost" 29 billion in cash and best non-holidays quarter results in company's history. During the worst economic downturns in decades. The horror.