Microsoft says Q1 sales surge a one-off

Microsoft Corp said on Sunday a surge in first-quarter sales was not sustainable and forecast tough business conditions ahead. “We’re not trying to say that we think the sales results of our first quarter will be sustainable. It is kind of a one-time anomaly,” Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer told Australia’s Nine Network.

“We’re still seeing the business as being reasonably tough,at least compared to, let’s say, the good old days, reasonably tough around the globe.” Microsoft said last week it had doubled September-quarter earnings and raised its full-year revenue and earnings outlook.