Microsoft to Announce Major Layoffs Next Week, Marking Fourth Largest in 18 Months

Microsoft is reportedly planning another major round of layoffs next week, mainly targeting its Xbox division as part of a broader restructuring ahead of its June 30 fiscal year-end. This would be the fourth significant layoff in 18 months, driven by cost-cutting efforts following the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition and heavy investments in AI and cloud infrastructure. The layoffs may impact multiple Xbox teams and global sales operations. In May, Microsoft already cut around 6,000 jobs. The company is also outsourcing functions to reduce costs and focus on emerging tech. No official confirmation has been made, but internal reshuffling is expected.