Microsoft Corporation

[CityFarmer]

Any company already has corporate plan to upgrade to this Surface for office work?

Microsoft Surface Pro to launch by end June

SINGAPORE — The Microsoft Surface Pro will launch in Singapore by the end of June, announced Microsoft today. The exact date of the launch in unknown.

The launch in Singapore comes together with the launch in Korea, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom will have the Surface Pro launch in May. The Surface Pro has already launched in the United States, Canada and China.

The Surface Pro comes with full support for Windows 7 and 8 applications and is said to be a full PC in tablet form, unlike the Surface RT, which comes with a modified version of Window 8 that runs on ARM processors that lacks somes functionality. The Surface Pro also comes with a stylus for input.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...h-end-june

[CityFarmer]

Not sure the popularity of the Nokia Windows phone so far... Interesting to find out... purely by observation during visits to phone shops, nobody seems playing with it...

Microsoft goes mainstream to win phone share

SEATTLE — Microsoft’s phone chief hates to call the new Nokia Lumia 521 cheap, but the lower-priced smartphone launching in the United States is the company’s boldest move yet to win mass market share from leaders Apple and Samsung Electronics.

The world’s largest software company has so far focused on putting its Windows Phone software into expensive, high-end devices — chiefly from Nokia and HTC.

But the new model will go on sale at Walmart later this month at an unsubsidised price under US$150 (S$185), relatively cheap for a new phone running up-to-date software without a long-term contract.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...hone-share

[CityFarmer]

Well, there is true on his statement...

iPad and Android users will switch to PC tablets: Bill Gates

LONDON — Users of iPad and Android tablets might not have noticed, but a lot of them are “frustrated” because they “can’t type, they can’t create documents, they don’t have (Microsoft) Office there.” At least according to Mr Bill Gates, who three years ago said of the iPad: “there’s nothing on the iPad I look at and say ‘Oh, I wish Microsoft had done it.’”

But with total iPad sales since April 2010 already past 141 million, and total tablet sales according to IDC at 253 million – of which fewer than 2 million are the Surface RT or Surface Pro – one might wonder whether he is right.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/ipad-and...bill-gates

[freedom]

so far, iPad or most of tablets are simply content consumers, rather than creators.

It is okay if you are only a content consumer, but for most business users, they are more a creator than a consumer.

so my guess is that Surface has a higher chance to prevail in business than iPad or most Android tablets.

[CityFarmer]

Microsoft retooling Windows 8 to address gripes

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft is retooling the latest version of its Windows operating system to address complaints and confusion that have been blamed for deepening a slump in personal computer sales.

The tune-up announced yesterday will not be released to consumers and businesses until later this year. The changes, part of a software package given the codename Blue, are a tacit acknowledgment of the shortcomings in Windows 8, a radical overhaul of Microsoft’s ubiquitous operating system.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...ess-gripes

[freedom]

How big the cash generating ability of Microsoft? Let fact talk. A lot of people was wooed by Apple's 60 billion return to shareholders through buyback and dividends. But how much has Microsoft returned to shareholders?

for share buyback, from FY2006 til recent quarter(3Q 2013), Microsoft has spent around 100 billion. the exact number for FY2006 - 2012 and 9M2013 is 19,207 27,575 12,533 9,353 11,269 11,555 5,029 and 4,318, totally 100,839 million(data from cash flow statement in form 10K filed by Microsoft with SEC, data may include employee stock purchase).

In the meantime, Microsoft has paid 3,545 3,805 4,015 4,468 4,578 5,180 6,385 5,534 in dividends for FY2006 - 2012 and 9M2013, totally 37,510 million(data from cash flow statement in form 10K filed by Microsoft with SEC) not mentioning the special dividend of more than 30 billion paid in FY2005.

After returning almost 140 billion to shareholders since FY2006, the balance sheet of Microsoft continues to be excellent with more than 80 billion in cash & cash equivalent, short/long term investment and around 14 billion debt as of 9M2013. In a way, Microsoft, not like Apple, which most of its money hide in tax heaven with little domestic, has a much greater cash generating ability domestically as well. With so much money on hand, barring acquisitions(I hope it does not), I believe that Microsoft is going to announce another major capital return exercise to its shareholders in terms of tens of billions.

Microsoft should be the greatest tech giant in the world. I can't believe that its market cap is below Apple and Google. I will continue to buy Microsoft, short Apple and Google if possible as long as Microsoft's market cap is below the other two.

not a call to buy or sell. do your own due diligence.

[KopiKat]

The most unfortunate thing for a Singaporean investing in US stocks that pays good dividends is the lack of a DTA that results in a high witholding tax of 30%...

[freedom]

The most unfortunate thing for a Singaporean investing in US stocks that pays good dividends is the lack of a DTA that results in a high witholding tax of 30%...

yes. very painful to see it.

fortunately, they do more share repurchase than direct dividends.

scrip dividend also helps, but not many companies issue scrip dividend.

[CityFarmer]

More offering in the pipeline...

The Microsoft Surface Pro rises June 3

SINGAPORE — If you’ve been waiting for the Microsoft Surface Pro, the wait is almost over — Microsoft will be launching the Surface Pro next Monday (June 3).

At first glance, the Surface Pro does look like the previously released Surface RT, which runs on a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 and on Windows RT, a version of Windows made for mobile devices. The difference becomes apparent when you hold it in your hands — the Surface Pro is actually thicker (by 4mm) and heavier (by 200g), but this is negligible given the added power.

http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gadgets/...ses-june-3

[evolance]

How big the cash generating ability of Microsoft? Let fact talk. A lot of people was wooed by Apple's 60 billion return to shareholders through buyback and dividends. But how much has Microsoft returned to shareholders?

for share buyback, from FY2006 til recent quarter(3Q 2013), Microsoft has spent around 100 billion. the exact number for FY2006 - 2012 and 9M2013 is 19,207 27,575 12,533 9,353 11,269 11,555 5,029 and 4,318, totally 100,839 million(data from cash flow statement in form 10K filed by Microsoft with SEC, data may include employee stock purchase).

In the meantime, Microsoft has paid 3,545 3,805 4,015 4,468 4,578 5,180 6,385 5,534 in dividends for FY2006 - 2012 and 9M2013, totally 37,510 million(data from cash flow statement in form 10K filed by Microsoft with SEC) not mentioning the special dividend of more than 30 billion paid in FY2005.

After returning almost 140 billion to shareholders since FY2006, the balance sheet of Microsoft continues to be excellent with more than 80 billion in cash & cash equivalent, short/long term investment and around 14 billion debt as of 9M2013. In a way, Microsoft, not like Apple, which most of its money hide in tax heaven with little domestic, has a much greater cash generating ability domestically as well. With so much money on hand, barring acquisitions(I hope it does not), I believe that Microsoft is going to announce another major capital return exercise to its shareholders in terms of tens of billions.

Microsoft should be the greatest tech giant in the world. I can't believe that its market cap is below Apple and Google. I will continue to buy Microsoft, short Apple and Google if possible as long as Microsoft's market cap is below the other two.

not a call to buy or sell. do your own due diligence.

I like MS too.. waiting for some bad news to drive it to low 30/hi 20s..XBOX One??
Besides recurring corporate sales, my thinking is Windows Blue + HASWELL chip will finally eat sales from IPAD and Android(though I like Android too)

Imagine a AIO, aka Samsung ATIV Pro with beta form factor(no need fan) + long battery life. It shd encourage laptop user to upgrade, drive apps creation then slowly increase market share on casual tablet users at high end lvl (Samsung Note/IPAD price range)