Google-parent Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) cloud division posted its weakest growth in nearly three years, leading to a 5.7% decline in its stock value in after-hours trading. This decline is even more striking when juxtaposed with the success of Microsoft's (MSFT.O) cloud division, which has seen a substantial surge in sales.

Microsoft shares rally after the tech colossus reported earnings on Thursday that surpassed Wall Street expectations with a winning shift into the Internet cloud.