Microsoft posts $4.3bn loss as it writes down Nokia business

Microsoft reported a US$3.2 billion (A$4.3 billion) quarterly net loss, hurt by charges related to its Nokia phone business and job cuts and weak demand for its Windows operating system.

The company took a charge of US$7.5 billion in the fourth quarter related to the restructuring of its Nokia handset business, which it acquired last year.

Microsoft's shares fell 3.5 percent to US$45.65 in extended trading.

Under CEO Satya Nadella, the company has shifted its focus to software and cloud services as demand for its once-popular Windows operating system slows.

Sales of Windows to computer manufacturers to install on new PCs fell 22 percent in the quarter. The company is scheduled to roll out Windows 10 on July 29, a much-awaited launch after a lackluster response to Windows 8.

Revenue from its commercial cloud business, which includes offerings such as Office 365 and Azure, rose 96 percent, excluding the impact of a strong dollar.

Microsoft said this month that it would cut 7800 jobs, or nearly 7 percent of its workforce, mainly in the phone hardware business.

The company reported a net loss of 40 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30. Microsoft reported net income of US$4.6 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier.

Microsoft recorded total impairment, integration and restructuring expenses of US$8.4 billion including the charges related to the Nokia phone business.

Excluding the charges, Microsoft earned 62 cents per share.

Revenue fell 5 percent to US$22.18 billion.