Microsoft to take $6.2B charge in quarter

7/3/2012
BLADE NEWS SERVICES

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. reported Monday that is absorbing a $6.2 billion charge to reflect its inability to produce more revenue from online ad service aQuantive, which it bought for $6.3 billion in 2007.

The noncash charge could saddle Microsoft with a loss for its fiscal fourth quarter ending in June. Results are scheduled to be released July 19.

Since it bought aQuantive, Microsoft's online division has reported losses totaling nearly $9 billion.