S&P 500   5,149.42
DOW   38,790.43
QQQ   437.48
3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively
Semis, Nvidia Set for Big Moves as GTC Conference Kicks Off
Here’s Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices
2 Deep Value, High Yield Stocks With a Double-Digit Upside
3 Stocks About to Boom on Unusual Call Option Volume
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 3/18/2024
Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time?
S&P 500   5,149.42
DOW   38,790.43
QQQ   437.48
3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively
Semis, Nvidia Set for Big Moves as GTC Conference Kicks Off
Here’s Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices
2 Deep Value, High Yield Stocks With a Double-Digit Upside
3 Stocks About to Boom on Unusual Call Option Volume
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 3/18/2024
Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time?
S&P 500   5,149.42
DOW   38,790.43
QQQ   437.48
3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively
Semis, Nvidia Set for Big Moves as GTC Conference Kicks Off
Here’s Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices
2 Deep Value, High Yield Stocks With a Double-Digit Upside
3 Stocks About to Boom on Unusual Call Option Volume
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 3/18/2024
Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time?
S&P 500   5,149.42
DOW   38,790.43
QQQ   437.48
3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively
Semis, Nvidia Set for Big Moves as GTC Conference Kicks Off
Here’s Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices
2 Deep Value, High Yield Stocks With a Double-Digit Upside
3 Stocks About to Boom on Unusual Call Option Volume
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 3/18/2024
Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time?

Microsoft (MSFT) Stock Price, News & Analysis

$417.32
+0.90 (+0.22%)
(As of 03/18/2024 ET)
Today's Range
$413.79
$420.73
50-Day Range
$375.79
$425.22
52-Week Range
$269.52
$427.82
Volume
20.09 million shs
Average Volume
23.57 million shs
Market Capitalization
$3.10 trillion
P/E Ratio
37.73
Dividend Yield
0.72%
Price Target
$415.00

Microsoft MarketRank™ Stock Analysis

Analyst Rating
Moderate Buy
2.92 Rating Score
Upside/​Downside
0.6% Downside
$415.00 Price Target
Short Interest
Healthy
0.66% of Float Sold Short
Dividend Strength
Strong
Based on Four Factors
Sustainability
-0.75
Upright™ Environmental Score
News Sentiment
0.58mentions of Microsoft in the last 14 days
Based on 106 Articles This Week
Insider Trading
Selling Shares
$30.69 M Sold Last Quarter
Proj. Earnings Growth
13.07%
From $11.63 to $13.15 Per Share

Overall MarketRank

New Rank-Based ScoringMarketRank is calculated by averaging available category scores (with extra weight given to analysis and valuation), then ranking the company's weighted average against that of other companies.

4.69 out of 5 stars

Computer And Technology Sector

59th out of 602 stocks

Prepackaged Software Industry

20th out of 205 stocks

MSFT stock logo

About Microsoft Stock (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 in Albuquerque, New Mexico by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The two quit their respective Harvard schooling and programming jobs to start a software company focused on the then-popular Altair 8800. Originally named Micro-Soft, Microsoft is a portmanteau of the words microprocessor and software. The company quickly took off and was relocated to Washington State where it is headquartered today.

Microsoft launched a game called Flight Simulator in 1982 that has since become the longest-running video game franchise. The company’s first major breakthrough came in the early 80s when it licensed MS-DOS to IBM for their personal computer and then another came in 1985 the company altered the way computers were used when it launched Windows. Windows used a graphical interface to display information that included drop-down menus, scroll bars, and other features commonly found in operating systems today.

Microsoft went public in 1986 making founder Bill Gates the world’s youngest billionaire. Other innovations that helped make the company’s name include Windows 95 which included many upgrades to the original and, when the Internet took off, Internet Explorer. Bill Gates gave up his role as CEO in 2000 and the company is now run by Satya Nadella. Mr. Nadella took over the role of CEO in 2014 and then the role of chairman in 2021.

Today the company develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide. The company operates in three segments that include Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. As of 2022, Microsoft’s Azure powered more than 20% of the Cloud putting it in second place globally.

The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers several software solutions including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft Viva, and Skype for Business. Microsoft also operates Skype, Outlook.com, OneDrive, and LinkedIn for business professionals as well as Dynamics 365. Dynamics 365 is a set of cloud-based and on-premises business solutions for organizations and enterprises of all sizes.

The Intelligent Cloud segment licenses SQL, Windows Servers, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses. Microsoft Intelligent Cloud also operates GitHub which is a collaboration platform and code hosting service for developers. Intelligent Cloud also hosts Nuance healthcare and enterprise AI solutions, and Azure, a cloud platform, as well as associated services.

The More Personal Computing segment provides Windows original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licensing and other licensing of the Windows family of operating systems. This includes Windows Commercial, Windows cloud services, and Windows Internet of Things.

The More Personal Computing segment also offers Surface, PC accessories, PCs, tablets, gaming and entertainment consoles, Xbox hardware, and Xbox content and services including video games and third-party video game royalties. The company sells its products through OEMs, distributors, and resellers; and directly through digital marketplaces, online stores, and retail stores.

MSFT Stock Price History

MSFT Stock News Headlines

S&P 500 Valuations Hit New Highs: Anticipating a Market Pullback?
In the past week, the rally in the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund NYSEARCA: XLK has faltered as many leading stocks have been trading off their previous highs, or have posted small gains.
S&P 500 Valuations Hit New Highs: Anticipating a Market Pullback? (MSFT)
Amid a tech sector rally stumble, Nvidia leads the decline. Caution may be in order, amid broader signs that the wider market is under selling pressure.
They said crypto was dead. It went up 100X.
Bitcoin’s haters are out again. Despite the price doubling in the last six months alone… That hasn’t stopped the experts from piling on. Warren Buffett’s right-hand man Charlie Munger called crypto investors “idiots” in one of his last interviews. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, recently called Bitcoin a “pet rock” and “a hyped-up fraud.” But when it comes to cryptos, these are exactly the people you shouldn’t listen to. They’ve predicted crypto’s demise for years.
Watch for Tech Giants to Boost Share Buybacks in 2024
Watch for robust earnings growth at big techs such as Meta Platforms Inc. NASDAQ: META, Nvidia Corp. NASDAQ: NVDA, Microsoft Corp. NASDAQ: MSFT and Apple Inc. NASDAQ: AAPL to increase the rate of share buybacks this year, says a recent report from Goldman Sachs.
Watch for Tech Giants to Boost Share Buybacks in 2024 (MSFT)
Goldman Sachs foresees substantial growth in stock buybacks from leading tech companies like Meta Platforms and Apple, possibly surpassing $1 trillion by 2025.
Mastering Stocks in the Dow: Insights into the DJIA (MSFT)
What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)? The Dow Jones Industrial Average includes 30 companies, once all industrial companies. Learn more.
Many countries are bouncing back from the pandemic but the poorest are not, UN says
A U.N. report says many countries are bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the poorest are not and a significant number are seeing their conditions deteriorate
AI image-generator Midjourney blocks images of Biden and Trump as election looms
The popular artificial intelligence image-generator Midjourney has started blocking its users from creating fake images of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, according to tests of the AI tool by The Associated Press
The only AI company you should be looking at
This is the ONLY AI company you should be watching right now. No. It's not Nvidia, Intel, or Microsoft... It's a tiny biotech using proprietary AI to assist in new drug discovery at a rate 100,000 times faster than a human. This new drug discovery technique will change the market. And that's why they received a $50 million investment from an AI powerhouse.
Is it Time to Sell These 5 Overvalued Stocks? (MSFT)
Wingstop, Celsius, Southwest, Vistra and Dell are among stocks that soared in recent months and may now be overvalued and ready for a pullback.
NetApp Still a Value Play in the Data Management Segment (MSFT)
NetApp stock has room to move higher after the data management company beat on earnings, showed growth in every sector, and raised its 2024 guidance
How to Find Cloud Software Company Stocks to Trade and Invest (MSFT)
Cloud software companies stocks offer investors a wide range of opportunities. Learn more about how to find and invest in cloud software company stocks.
17 Best AOL Mail Alternatives in 2024
See More Headlines
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Company Calendar

Last Earnings
1/30/2024
Ex-Dividend for 3/14 Dividend
2/14/2024
Dividend Payable
3/14/2024
Today
3/18/2024
Next Earnings (Estimated)
4/23/2024
Fiscal Year End
6/30/2024

Industry, Sector and Symbol

Industry
Prepackaged software
Sub-Industry
Systems Software
Current Symbol
NASDAQ:MSFT
CUSIP
59491810
Employees
221,000
Year Founded
1975

Price Target and Rating

Average Stock Price Target
$415.00
High Stock Price Target
$500.00
Low Stock Price Target
$232.00
Potential Upside/Downside
-0.6%
Consensus Rating
Moderate Buy
Rating Score (0-4)
2.92
Research Coverage
39 Analysts

Profitability

Net Income
$72.36 billion
Pretax Margin
44.47%

Debt

Sales & Book Value

Annual Sales
$211.92 billion
Cash Flow
$11.52 per share
Book Value
$27.76 per share

Miscellaneous

Outstanding Shares
7,430,440,000
Free Float
7,428,208,000
Market Cap
$3.10 trillion
Optionable
Optionable
Beta
0.89

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Should I Buy Microsoft Stock? MSFT Pros and Cons Explained

These insights were generated using artificial intelligence. They are based on proprietary MarketBeat data, news articles, and custom LLM A.I. algorithms. This analysis of Microsoft was last updated on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 11:55 PM.

Pros

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Microsoft:

  • Microsoft's strong presence in the cloud computing market with Azure, a major competitor to Amazon Web Services, providing a significant revenue stream.
  • Continued growth in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and services, reflecting a shift towards cloud-based productivity solutions.
  • Ongoing innovation and investment in artificial intelligence technologies, enhancing product offerings and driving future growth.
  • Recent positive earnings reports and financial performance, indicating a solid financial position and potential for further growth.
  • Current stock price showing resilience and stability, making it an attractive option for long-term investors.

Cons

Investors should be bearish about investing in Microsoft for these reasons:

  • Potential market saturation in certain product segments, leading to slower growth rates in mature markets.
  • Risks associated with cybersecurity threats and data privacy concerns, impacting customer trust and brand reputation.
  • Competition from other tech giants like Apple and Google in key areas such as consumer devices and search engines, posing challenges for market share.
  • Dependency on global economic conditions and regulatory changes, affecting business operations and profitability.
  • Uncertainties related to future acquisitions and strategic partnerships, which may introduce integration risks and financial burdens.

MSFT Stock Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy or sell Microsoft stock right now?

39 Wall Street analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Microsoft in the last year. There are currently 3 hold ratings and 36 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street analysts is that investors should "moderate buy" MSFT shares.
View MSFT analyst ratings
or view top-rated stocks.

What is Microsoft's stock price target for 2024?

39 brokers have issued twelve-month price objectives for Microsoft's stock. Their MSFT share price targets range from $232.00 to $500.00. On average, they predict the company's share price to reach $415.00 in the next year. This suggests that the stock has a possible downside of 0.6%.
View analysts price targets for MSFT
or view top-rated stocks among Wall Street analysts.

How have MSFT shares performed in 2024?

Microsoft's stock was trading at $376.04 on January 1st, 2024. Since then, MSFT stock has increased by 11.0% and is now trading at $417.32.
View the best growth stocks for 2024 here
.

When is Microsoft's next earnings date?

The company is scheduled to release its next quarterly earnings announcement on Tuesday, April 23rd 2024.
View our MSFT earnings forecast
.

How were Microsoft's earnings last quarter?

Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January, 30th. The software giant reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.17. The software giant earned $62.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $61.14 billion. Microsoft had a trailing twelve-month return on equity of 38.40% and a net margin of 36.27%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.32 earnings per share.
Read the conference call transcript
.

How often does Microsoft pay dividends? What is the dividend yield for Microsoft?

Microsoft announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.75 per share on Thursday, June 13th. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 15th.
Read our dividend analysis for MSFT
.

Is Microsoft a good dividend stock?

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) pays an annual dividend of $3.00 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 0.71%. The company has been increasing its dividend for 22 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 27.12%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, MSFT will have a dividend payout ratio of 22.81% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.
Read our dividend analysis for MSFT.

What guidance has Microsoft issued on next quarter's earnings?

Microsoft issued an update on its third quarter 2024 earnings guidance on Tuesday, January, 30th. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of for the period. The company issued revenue guidance of $60.0 billion-$61.0 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $56.2 billion.

What is Satya Nadella's approval rating as Microsoft's CEO?

11,127 employees have rated Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella on Glassdoor.com. Satya Nadella has an approval rating of 98% among the company's employees. This puts Satya Nadella in the top 20% of approval ratings compared to other CEOs of publicly-traded companies.

What other stocks do shareholders of Microsoft own?

Based on aggregate information from My MarketBeat watchlists, some companies that other Microsoft investors own include NVIDIA (NVDA), Alibaba Group (BABA), Micron Technology (MU), General Electric (GE), Tesla (TSLA), Walt Disney (DIS), Intel (INTC), Netflix (NFLX), Visa (V).

Who are Microsoft's major shareholders?

Microsoft's stock is owned by a variety of institutional and retail investors. Top institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc. (8.95%), Vanguard Group Inc. (8.95%), Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD (1.94%), Norges Bank (1.29%), Capital World Investors (1.22%) and Capital International Investors (1.11%). Insiders that own company stock include Amy Hood, Bradford L Smith, Christopher C Capossela, Christopher C Capossela, Corp Microsoft, Emma N Walmsley, Judson Althoff, Kathleen T Hogan, Satya Nadella and Teri List.
View institutional ownership trends
.

How do I buy shares of Microsoft?

Shares of MSFT stock can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages with access to the U.S. stock market include Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Fidelity, and Vanguard Brokerage Services.
Compare Top Brokerages Here.

Does Microsoft have any subsidiaries?
The following companies are subsidiares of Microsoft: 5th Finger, 90 Degree Software, ADRM Software, AVIcode, Acompli, ActiveViews, Activision Blizzard, AdECN, Adallom, Adxstudio, Affirmed Networks, Alacris, Ally.io, Altamira Software, AltspaceVR, Aorato, Apiphany, Apptimum, Aspect Software Inc, AssetMetrix Corporation, Avere Systems, Azyxxi, BigPark, Bit Stadium GmbH, Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, BlueStripe, BlueTalon, Bonsai, Bruce Artwick Organization, Bungie, Caligari Corporation, Calista Technologies, Canesta, Capptain, Chalkup, Ciao, Citus Data, Clear Software, Clickstream Technologies, Clipchamp, CloudKnox Security, Cloudyn, Code Connect, Colloquis, Colusa Software, CompareNet, Compulsion Games, Connectix, Consumers Software, Cooper & Peters, Credentica, CyberX, Cycle Computing, DATAllegro, Danger, DataSense, Datazen Software, DeepMetrix, Deis.com, DesktopStandard, Digital Anvil, Dimension X, Donya Labs, Double Labs, EXOS, Echo Locker, Electric Gravity, Engyro, Entropic, Entropic Research Laboratories, Equivio, Event Zero, Express Logic, FASA Interactive, FSLogix, FantasySalesTeam, Farecast, Fast Search & Transfer, FieldOne Systems, Firefly Network, Flipgrid, FolderShare, Forethought, Fox Software, Frontbridge Technologies, GIANT Company Software, Genee, Github, Global Care Solutions, Great Plains Software, GreenButton, Greenfield Online, Groove (dba Zikera), Groove Networks, Gteko, Havok, Hexadite, HockeyApp, HotMail, InMage Systems, InRelease, Intentional Software, Interactive Supercomputing, Interse, Intrinsa, Jump Networks, Kidaro, Kinvolk, Komoku, LinkAge Software, LinkedIn, LinkedIn Corporation, LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Lionhead Studios, LiveLoop, Lobe, Lookout Software, MESA Group, MIXER, Maluuba, MarketingPilot, Massive, Media-Streams.com, Medstory, Merchant Planet, MessageCast, Metanautix, Metaswitch Networks, MetricsHub, Miburo, Microsoft Global Finance, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, Microsoft Ireland Research, Microsoft Online Inc., MinecraftEdu, Minit, MobiComp, Mobile Data Labs, Mojang Studios, MongoMusic, Motion Bridge, Mover, Movere, MultiMap, Musiwave, N-trig, NCompass Labs, Navic Networks, Navic Systems, Navision, NetCarta, NetGames, Netbreeze, Netwise, Network Managers, NextBase, Ninja Theory, Nokia - Devices & Services Business, Nuance Communications, Nuance Communications Inc., Numinous Technologies, Obsidian Entertainment, OmniBrowse, One Tree Software Ltd, Onfolio, Opalis Software, Open Build Service, Orions Systems, Pacific Microsonics, Pando Networks, Parature, Parlano, Peach Networks, Peer5, Pelican Security, Perceptive Pixel, PhoneFactor, PlaceWare, PlayFab, Playground Games, Powerset, ProClarity, Prodiance Corporation, PromoteIQ, R2 Studios, RAV Antivirus, Rapt, Rare, ReFirm Labs, RenderMorphics, Revolution Analytics, RiskIQ, Rosetta Biosoftware, STNC, Screen Tonic, SeaDragon Software, Secure Islands Technologies, Semantic Machines, Sendit, Sentillion, ShadowFactor Software, Skype, Smash.gg, SoftImage, Softomotive, Softricity, Softway Systems, Solair, StorSimple, Stratature, Sunrise, Suplari, SwiftKey, Swing Technologies, Sybari, SyntaxTree, TakeLessons, Talko, Teleo, Tellme, Tellme, The Marsden Group, Twisted Pixel Games, Two Hat Security, Undead Labs, Unveil Technologies, VXtreme, Valence Research, Valence Technology, Vermeer Technologies, Vexcel, Vicinity Corporation, VideoSurf, Visio Corporation, VoloMetrix, Wand Labs, WebFives, WebTV Networks, Whale Communications, Windows Live Hotmail, Winternals, Wunderlist, XDegrees, XOXCO, Xamarin, Xandr, YaData, Yammer, ZeniMax, Zoomit, Zoomix, aQuantive, devBiz Business Solutions, eShop, iView Multimedia, id8 Group R2 Studios, inXile Entertainment, jClarity, and linkexchange.
Read More
This page (NASDAQ:MSFT) was last updated on 3/18/2024 by MarketBeat.com Staff

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