Microsoft hits a record time after crushing earnings

• Microsoft beat on both the top and bottom lines in its first quarter.
• Shares are trading at a record high on Friday.

Shares of Microsoft hit a record high Friday morning after the company’s quarterly report beat on both the top and bottom lines.

The Washington-based company on Thursday reported adjusted earnings per shares of $US0.84 versus the $US0.72 expected by Wall Street. Revenue was $US24.5 billion compared to an expected $US23.56 billion.

Shares spiked more than 8% Friday morning, trading as high at $US85.72 after the opening bell. The previous record was $US79.34, hit earlier this week.

Investors appear to be pleased with the progress Microsoft showed in its all-important cloud computing business. In the just-completed quarter, that business met and exceeded the company’s goal of $US20 billion in annualized revenue.

The results led to RBC Capital Market’s Ross MacMillan has raised his target to $US88 from $US85, citing Microsoft’s cloud successes.

Wall Street now has a consensus target of $US89.72 for the stock, according to Bloomberg — 7.14% above where shares were trading Friday morning.

Microsoft is up 34.25% this year.

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