Microsoft posts higher profits as cloud sales jump

Tech giant Microsoft reported a 12pc increase in quarterly revenues thanks to growth in its fast-growing cloud computing division. The company posted $32.5bn (£24.8bn) in revenue in the second quarter, compared to $28.9bn a year ago. Profits reached $8.4bn, after a loss in the same period of last year due to a one-off tax charge. The Seattle-based company attributed its growth largely to its cloud offering Azure and Surface PC hardware. It also saw an increase in revenue from Lin