Microsoft reports quarterly loss

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NEW YORK, July 19 (UPI) -- Microsoft Thursday posted its first quarterly loss as a public company, a net loss of $492 million, or 6 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter.

The company had reported a profit of $5.87 billion, or 69 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

Despite the reported loss, stock analysts still rated Microsoft as a buy, CNBC reported.

At the same time as it reported the loss, the company -- which went public in 1986 -- reported a 21.1 percent increase in unearned revenue.

"That's a leading indicator," said hedge fund operator Tim Seymour.

"They have a strong catalyst in Windows 8 which is expected in the fall," he said. "And they pay a nice dividend to sit and wait. All told, I'm a buyer."

Kim Forrest, an analyst with Fort Pitt Capital Total Return Fund, said the fund owns the stock and is "delighted with the unearned revenue number and we'd buy more (after these results)," CNBC reported.

Trader Guy Adami said the loss was largely a result of a previously announced write-down on the value of Microsoft's online unit, among other factors.