Earnings: Analysts expect Microsoft MSFT + 1.70%, earnings per share of 70 cents compared to 62 cents per share reported in the previous period.
The consensus estimate consists of estimates of analysts, academics and others, corresponding to earnings per share of 72 cents.
Microsoft outperformed earnings expectations in the past three quarters, but did not meet expectations for its third quarter earnings report.
Revenue: FactSet analysts expect Microsoft to report a turnover of 23.6 billion compared to 22.1 billion in the same period last year.
The consensus estimate of 23.3 billion.
Of the 36 ratings on FactSet, the average score is overweight with a target price of $ 70.13.
Stock reaction: Microsoft shares gained 6% in the last three months, compared to SPX S & P 500 gain + 0.08% to 4%. During the past month, Microsoft shares rose 4%, surpassing the 1% increase for the S & P 500.
What else to look for: The productivity segment and Microsoft business processes must bring the results of the company to meet at least, if not exceed, earnings expectations. This segment includes Microsoft Office 365, analysts of MKM Partners say that it is entrenched with its commercial offer.
LinkedIn, which Microsoft acquired a closed $ 26 billion transaction in December, is expected to contribute $ 950 million in this segment in the quarter, according to MKM Partners.
This is the first full quarter that LinkedIn has been part of Microsoft, but the company said earlier that it expected the acquisition to be diluted to 1% of its earnings per share segment in 2017 and 2018.
Stifel analysts also expect server transactional revenues better than expected for the quarter, thanks to the release of Microsoft Windows and SQL Server products. They see the smart cloud segment to grow by 8% thanks to the Azure cloud computing platform, Microsoft.
The peripheral part, which includes the Microsoft Surface laptop computer may have tougher comparisons on the consumer side, but analysts see the output of the commercial device segment. There are also rumors that Microsoft may introduce new products at a hardware event in May.
While all of these elements should be positive for action, MKM Partners said that "two jokers" could affect post-earnings action: fiscal year 2018 to 606 guidelines, a new fiscal standard developed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board makes recovery difficult compared to previous quarters and guidance for gross margins, which could be weighed by the legacy of the company's business.
Microsoft has consistently returned capital to its shareholders, and analysts expect this to continue, which could help increase the stock.
