Microsoft isn't likely to dominate the post-PC world. But with its server, business and entertainment divisions growing, that may not matter. By Kevin Kelleher, contributor FORTUNE – Microsoft will always have its detractors. The truth is that Bill Gates moved away from the company he founded just as the Windows dynasty was being supplanted by rival technologies. That left CEO Steve Ballmer with the thankless task of trying to find a place for Microsoft in an industry where companies like Apple, Google and Facebook seemed to be increasingly setting the agenda. That sense of disenchantment has been especially strong among investors, who have repeatedly called for Ballmer to resign. In 2010 and 2011, Microsoft (MSFT) significantly underperformed the broader market, declining 15% over the two-year ... Continue reading →

Already the New Year seems like déjà vu all over again. Most of what I've read and heard in 2012 has a familiar ring to it. I know the auto industry is cyclical and history repeats itself, but this is ridiculous. These recurring headlines signal the presence of what among journalists are known as "evergreens" -- stories that can run anytime. They were just as true today as they were yesterday, and they will likely remain just as true tomorrow. The car business lends itself to these kinds of stories because so much of it is dictated by the calendar. Vehicle sales are reported every month, so somebody is always up and somebody else is always down. Analysts release their data on initial quality or ... Continue reading →