Xbox Sees Earnings Lag, Stronger Sales

Thanks to GameSpot for its article discussing the Xbox-related financial results from Microsoft's Q4/annual 2004 earnings, released yesterday. The article notes: "The Home and Entertainment Group, which includes the Xbox division, had a $339 million operating loss for the quarter on revenue of $499 million and anemic revenue growth of 3 percent - the lowest growth rate of any of Microsoft's seven business segments. Though Microsoft doesn't break out separate results for the Xbox, it's pretty clear that the console business is still a strategic investment, not a profit center." However, it's not all bad news, since "Xbox shipments increased 27 percent over the same period a year ago. Microsoft reports 15.5 million units sold worldwide through the end of June: 1.5 million in Asia Pacific, 3.9 million in Europe, and 10.1 million in North America. The company also quoted industry research group NPD's claim that Xbox has a 33 percent market share in the US, with 50 percent growth in software sales over Q4 last year." Does this bode well for the apparent 2005 launch of Xbox 2?