Microsoft beats expectations fueled by Azure cloud business

Microsoft beat analyst expectations for revenue and profits days after offering voluntary buyouts to over a quarter of its workforce (ANDREJ IVANOV) Microsoft shares popped more than five percent Wednesday afternoon after it reported better than expected revenue and profit, fueled by its Azure cloud computing division which grew by 48 percent in the September quarter. "We are delivering greater capability, choice, control, and cost efficiency for customers across our entire stack," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement. The technology giant recorded $92.3 billion in total revenue and more than $36.6 billion in profit, the company said in a securities filing Wednesday. Analysts had expected around $90.6 billion in revenue and $35.