## Microsoft’s Cloud Soars, Driving Strong Q3 2025 Earnings
Microsoft has reported a robust Q3 for its 2025 fiscal year, exceeding Wall Street expectations with revenue of $70.1 billion and a net income of $25.8 billion. This represents a 13 percent increase in revenue and an 18 percent surge in net income compared to the same period last year. The driving force behind this impressive performance? The company’s burgeoning cloud business.
Microsoft Cloud revenue reached a substantial $42.4 billion, marking a 20 percent increase. While the specific contributions of AI to this growth remain undisclosed, the overall cloud segment is clearly a significant engine for Microsoft’s financial success.
Beyond the cloud, Windows OEM and devices revenue experienced a modest 3 percent year-over-year growth. This increase is attributed to businesses and consumers upgrading their PCs and laptops ahead of the Windows 10 end-of-life deadline in October. However, Microsoft notes that elevated inventory levels due to tariff uncertainty partially dampened the potential upswing in Windows OEM revenue.
The report also sees Microsoft now combining Surface revenue with Windows OEM revenue, obscuring the individual performance of the Surface line. Despite the lack of recent consumer-focused launches, Microsoft released Intel-powered versions of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 aimed at business users in February. Rumors also suggest smaller versions of the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are on the horizon.
On the gaming front, Xbox hardware revenue declined by 6 percent, a trend previously anticipated by Microsoft. However, the overall gaming revenue saw a 5 percent increase, fueled by the expansion of Game Pass. Xbox content and services, including Game Pass, grew by 8 percent, although the company hasn’t released updated subscriber numbers since February 2024, when it reported 34 million subscribers.
Microsoft’s strategy of bringing previously Xbox-exclusive titles to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch appears to be paying off. Preorders for games like *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* and *Forza Horizon 5* topped Sony’s own PlayStation Store last month. Microsoft’s “Xbox everywhere” initiative extends to the Nintendo Switch 2, with plans to port a similar selection of games to the new console.
As per usual, the company’s Office and cloud businesses shine in Microsoft’s earnings report. Microsoft 365 commercial products and cloud services revenue jumped 11 percent year-over-year, while even Office consumer revenue saw a 10 percent increase. Microsoft 365 consumer subscribers now total 87.7 million.
Microsoft bundled its Office AI features into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions earlier this year and raised prices, leading to “growth in revenue per user.” This has been partially offset by increased adoption of the lower-priced Microsoft 365 Basic subscription.
Overall, Microsoft’s intelligent cloud revenues surged 21 percent year-over-year to $26.8 billion, significantly outperforming the combined revenue of Windows, Xbox, and search and news advertising. Server products and cloud services revenue increased by 22 percent, with Azure experiencing a substantial 33 percent growth.
The results showcase a company firing on many cylinders, with its cloud dominance leading the charge. Further details were expected to be revealed during Microsoft’s earnings call later in the day with CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood.