Microsoft’s Azure cloud service posted a slowdown in quarterly growth, disappointing investors anxious to see a payoff from huge investments in artificial intelligence products. The shares fell.

The company’s total revenue in the fourth quarter, which ended June 30, increased 15 per cent to $US64.7 billion ($99 billion), while adjusted profit was $US2.95 a share, the company said in a statement. Analysts on average estimated sales of $US64.5 billion and per-share earnings of $US2.94.

Bloomberg