After years of losses, Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division has for the first time reported a profit, raking in operating income of $165 million for the quarter ending September 30th – a stark improvement over the $142 million loss in the same period last year.

The Division’s revenue reached $1.93 billion, up by almost $1 billion on the year before.

Microsoft’s overall revenue totalled $13.76 billion for the period, a 27 per cent rise on the same period last year. Income hit $4.92 billion.

"This fiscal year is off to an outstanding start with the fastest revenue growth of any first quarter since 1999,” chief financial officer Chris Liddell stated.