Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Google Inc (GOOG): Steve Ballmer Deserves More Credit Than He’s Getting

Page 2 of 2

Take revenues at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s three core divisions: Windows, Microsoft Business, and Servers and Tools over the last decade:

Source: S&P Capital IQ

If these numbers represent the work of a failed CEO, stop the ride. I want off.

“The resignation of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s CEO is also an acknowledgement: The computer world changed, and Microsoft hasn’t,” Derek Thompson wrote last week. He’s right. After Ballmer’s three decades at Microsoft, the company needs a fresh face and new ideas. But when pundits talk about Microsoft losing its edge, or falling behind, or becoming a dinosaur, remember that in 2012 it earned more free cash flow than the annual GDP of more than half the world’s countries. Pardon me for thinking it’s done some things right.

The article Steve Ballmer Deserves More Credit Than He’s Getting originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Morgan Housel has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Google, and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC). The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, Intel, International Business (NYSE:IBM) Machines, Microsoft, and Oracle (NYSE:ORCL).

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Page 2 of 2