Steve Ballmer

There are a number of controversial CEOs on Wall Street. Any number of different personality quirks, management styles or missteps can gain you admission to the "most controversial club." One reason for this is likely because of the eccentric personalities displayed by many entrepreneurs. At...

It appears the dreaded fiscal cliff is good for something. "Something" being the spate of special dividend news investors have been treated to in recent days. Amid fears the fiscal cliff will not be settled before year-end, companies (and investors) are fearful the dividend tax rate will soar in...

In the 30 days since its release, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has sold 40 million licenses of Windows 8. On the official Windows blog, Microsoft revealed that the new, touch-friendly operating system has outpaced its predecessor, Windows 7, in terms of upgrades. At the rate Windows 8 is currently...

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Chief Executive Steve Ballmer is hinting at additional hardware releases in 2013 and beyond. According to Reuters, Ballmer said that it is "absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not...

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer told French daily Le Parisien that sales of the company's first tablet "are starting modestly." Ballmer also said that the supply shortages were a "good sign." He added that Microsoft will "fix this problem quickly" as the company increases capacity,...

On Thursday after the closing bell, tech giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) released its fiscal first-quarter earnings results. The company reported net income of $4.47 billion or $0.53 per share in the period. In last year's corresponding quarter, the company reported net income of $5.74 billion or...

In an attempt to focus on his own ailing firm, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) Chief Executive Reed Hastings announced that he will no longer serve on Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) board. "Reed has been a terrific board member, and his insights and experience have really helped guide us through a critical...

Previously, there has been speculation that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) would enter the tablet market with its Surface device at rock-bottom prices in order to gain a foothold in the fast growing market. Bloggers suggested that the company could sell the Surface for as low as $199, even subsidizing...

As Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) gears up for the release of its new operating system, PC manufacturers are struggling to build machines that live up to consumer expectations. According to DigiTimes, none of the Windows 8-based notebooks shipped in August contain touch screen panels. This is a problem...

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) chief executive Steve Ballmer recently estimated that there will be a combined total of 400 million Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 devices produced in 2013. Ballmer arrived at that number by citing the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 from Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Samsung's new Windows...

Sony (NYSE: SNE) is developing a fresh device to compete with Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) highly anticipated tablet. Currently referred to as the Xperia Sony Tablet, the device will reportedly be thinner, lighter and more powerful than its predecessor. While these updates are common for tablet...

Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) management is the first to admit it: there is risk in developing the upcoming Surface tablet. The company revealed this information in government documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On page 14 of its annual report, Microsoft stated that its...