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Microsoft's Financial Analysis

To our shareholders, customers, partners, and employees:

Fiscal 2006 was a year of significant achievement and transformation for Microsoft. During 2006, we celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of our founding, reached new records for revenue and operating income, and laid the foundation for future growth through key changes in our organizational structure and leadership. Fueled by strong demand for new and existing products, our revenue in 2006 grew by $4.49 billion, an 11 percent increase, to $44.28 billion. Operating income reached a record $16.47 billion. We also returned $23 billion to shareholders through dividends and by repurchasing our stock.

The past year saw the successful launch of major products including Xbox 360™, Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005, Visual Studio® 2005, Microsoft Dynamics™ CRM 3.0, and BizTalk® Server 2006. Meanwhile, we continued to prepare for the most important series of product releases in Microsoft history as we readied Windows Vista™, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and Exchange Server 2007 for launch in 2007.

We also strengthened our commitment to Internet services as we unveiled Windows Live™ and Office Live, our two Internet-based software services offerings. Throughout the year, we rolled out new Windows Live and Office Live services and we continue to invest in the development of new technologies and products that will help ensure that we are a leader in the Internet services revolution.

During 2006, we maintained our focus on research and development, investing $6.6 billion—more than any other company in our industry. Past investment in R&D paid off in the form of new products and technologies that are helping us redefine the next generation of information technology. Along the way, we received our 5,000th patent.

In 2006, we also made a number of strategic acquisitions, including FrontBridge Technologies, a provider of security-enhanced managed messaging services; Teleo, which develops voice over...