Core Insights - Microsoft exceeded analyst revenue expectations for the fiscal fourth quarter, driven by growth in cloud services and artificial intelligence [1][3] Financial Performance - Microsoft reported revenue of $76.4 billion for the fourth quarter, an 18% increase year-over-year, surpassing analyst forecasts of $73.8 billion [3] - Net income rose to $27.2 billion, reflecting a 24% increase from the previous year, with earnings per share at $3.65, exceeding expectations of $3.38 [3] Stock Market Reaction - Following the earnings report, Microsoft's stock surged 7% in after-hours trading after closing at $513.24 [4] AI and Cloud Growth - The fourth quarter highlighted significant growth in AI, particularly through the enhancement of cloud services and the CoPilot AI assistant, which aids in various Microsoft applications [5] - Microsoft plans to invest $80 billion into AI data centers for the fiscal year 2025 to address increasing AI demand [5] Workforce Adjustments - The company has implemented workforce reductions, laying off approximately 6,000 employees, which constitutes a 3% decrease in its total workforce [6]