The most important financial news Microsoft Corp. executives will provide Tuesday requires a bit of a wait. Microsoft
MSFT,
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is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter financial results after the bell, wrapping up yet another record year for profit and revenue, with annual earnings expected to increase nearly 20% and sales expected to produce roughly 18% gains. Most of the drama in the numbers was removed when Microsoft executives warned in early June that earnings would come in lower than expected, with roughly a month to go in the quarter.
While that guidance reduction was pinned on a stronger dollar, there are many more scary indicators for Microsoft. With third-party analysts reporting that personal-computer shipments hit their biggest decline in years during the quarter and the business clients on which Microsoft relies signaling a slowdown in spending, there will be more sweaty palms than usual waiting for Microsoft’s results. “Heading into the quarter, investors are understandably concerned with multiple cross currents potentially impacting Microsoft’s results and outlook into FY23: PC shipment declines pressuring Windows OEM results, FX headwinds, a weakening consumer and overall macro weaknesses all serve as potential risks,” Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a preview …