If you’re watching the markets, you know the vibe. Everyone’s waiting for the "Big Tech" bellwether to drop its numbers. Honestly, it’s the one day of the quarter when productivity in the financial world basically grinds to a halt. We’re talking about Microsoft. Specifically, everyone wants to know: when does msft report earnings?
Mark your calendars. It’s confirmed.
Microsoft Corp. is set to release its fiscal year 2026 second-quarter results on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The data hits the wires right after the market close. Usually, that’s around 4:00 PM Eastern Time. But the real meat—the stuff that actually moves the needle and sends traders into a frenzy—happens during the conference call. That kicks off at 2:30 PM Pacific Time (5:30 PM Eastern Time). You’ve got Satya Nadella and Amy Hood taking the stage, and they aren't just there to read spreadsheets. They’re there to tell a story about AI, Azure, and whether the massive capital expenditure is finally paying off in a way that makes sense to shareholders.
Why the MSFT Earnings Date is the Market’s North Star
Microsoft isn't just a software company anymore. It’s a proxy for the entire global economy’s digital transformation. When people ask when does msft report earnings, they aren't just looking for a date to trade a single stock. They are looking for the "all-clear" signal for the tech sector.
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Think about it. Microsoft touches everything.
- Enterprise spend? Check Office 365.
- Cloud growth? Look at Azure.
- AI adoption? It’s all about Copilot.
- Gaming? Xbox and Activision Blizzard.
Because they are so diversified, their report acts like a quarterly physical for the S&P 500. If Amy Hood gives "soft" guidance, the whole market feels a bit of a chill. If they beat and raise? It’s rocket fuel.
The Q2 FY2026 Expectations
Coming off a massive Q1 where they posted an EPS of $4.13—crushing the $3.66 estimate—the bar is high. Like, really high. Analysts are currently projecting an EPS of roughly $3.86 for this January 28 report.
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Is that beatable? Historically, Microsoft likes to under-promise and over-deliver. But we’ve seen the market get grumpy even with a "beat" if the Azure growth deceleration is even a fraction of a percentage point worse than expected. Investors are fickle. They want perfection, especially with the stock trading at a P/E ratio north of 34.
How to Track the MSFT Earnings Calendar Like a Pro
You shouldn't just rely on a random tweet to find out when the numbers are out. The pros go straight to the source. Microsoft’s Investor Relations (IR) site is surprisingly clean for a multi-trillion-dollar company. They usually announce the official date about two to three weeks before the actual event.
For the rest of the 2026 fiscal year, we can make some pretty educated guesses based on historical patterns. Microsoft is a creature of habit. They almost always report on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the last week of the month following the quarter's end.
- Q3 2026 (Ending March 31): Expect the report around April 29, 2026.
- Q4 2026 (Ending June 30): Look toward July 29, 2026.
- Q1 2027 (Ending September 30): Likely October 28, 2026.
Keep in mind these are "inferred" dates. Until the PR department in Redmond hits "send" on that official press release, nothing is set in stone. Companies can and do shift dates if there’s a major acquisition closing or some accounting quirk, though Microsoft rarely does this.
What Actually Happens on Earnings Day?
It’s a choreographed dance.
At 4:00 PM ET, the press release drops. This is a PDF filled with tables: Condensed Consolidated Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and the "Segment Information." This last part is where the "whisper numbers" live. Traders are scanning for one thing: Azure revenue growth. If it's 30%+, the stock usually pops. If it starts with a 2, things get shaky.
Then comes the call.
Satya Nadella gives a high-level vision. He’ll mention "Agentic AI" about fifty times. Then Amy Hood, the CFO often cited as one of the best in the business, dives into the "Outlook." This is the most critical part of the day. The market doesn't care what happened in the last three months; it cares about the next three. If her guidance for the next quarter is even slightly below consensus, the stock can give up all its after-hours gains in minutes.
Common Misconceptions
Some folks think you can just "buy the hype" right before the report. That’s a gamble, not a strategy. The "implied move" for MSFT earnings is often around 4-6%. That means the market is pricing in a significant swing in either direction. If you’re holding options through the event, you’re fighting "IV crush"—where the volatility drops so fast after the news that your options lose value even if the stock moves in your direction. Kinda brutal, right?
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Actionable Steps for Investors
If you're planning to navigate the January 28 release, don't fly blind.
- Verify the Link: Bookmark the Microsoft Investor Relations page. Don't trust third-party calendars that might not have updated for a last-minute shift.
- Listen to the Webcast: Don't just read the headlines on CNBC. Listen to the tone of the Q&A session. Analysts from firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley usually ask the tough questions about margins and AI ROI.
- Check the Segment Breakdown: Look specifically at "Intelligent Cloud" vs. "More Personal Computing." It tells you if the growth is coming from high-margin cloud services or lower-margin hardware and search.
- Watch the 10-Q: A few hours or a day after the call, Microsoft files a formal 10-Q with the SEC. It’s a dense read, but it contains the "Risk Factors" and more granular data that doesn't make it into the glossy press release.
Waiting for the when does msft report earnings announcement is part of the game. Now that you have the date—January 28—you can start doing your homework on the valuation. Whether you're a long-term bull or a short-term skeptic, that Wednesday afternoon is going to be the biggest volatility event of the month.