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Microsoft - Fundamental Analysis: Everything you need to know.Microsoft's Stock Rises on the Back of AI Expansion, Gaming Dominance, and Positive Analyst Outlook
Over the past few months, Microsoft's stock has experienced a remarkable surge of almost 30%, driven by the company's ambitious venture into the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries in the years ahead, and Wall Street has taken notice, leading to a bullish outlook on Microsoft's stock. While Microsoft already boasts established brands like Office, Windows, Azure, and Xbox, the growing influence of AI has further enhanced its potential, making it an opportune time to explore the opportunities presented by this tech giant. Here are three crucial factors that knowledgeable investors should consider.
AI Potential:
In 2019, Microsoft made a strategic investment of $1 billion in OpenAI, a move that has proven to be a significant win for the company. OpenAI's advanced chatbot, ChatGPT, has triggered an AI race among tech giants and prompted Microsoft to invest an additional $10 billion in the company. This partnership has positioned Microsoft as a frontrunner in the market, allowing the integration of OpenAI's technology into its own services such as Office, Azure, and Bing. As a result, Microsoft has solidified its position as the leading provider of AI services for both consumers and businesses.
Furthermore, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, Azure, has the potential to become a market leader with the help of AI. Richard Bernstein, an investment manager, predicts that Microsoft's cloud revenue could more than double as the company expands its AI offerings. As of the first quarter of 2023, Azure currently holds the second-largest market share in the cloud industry at 23%, with Amazon Web Services leading at 32%. However, Microsoft's leadership in artificial intelligence gives it the potential to surpass its competitors in the coming years.
Growing Dominance in Gaming:
In addition to making strides in AI and cloud computing, Microsoft has made significant progress in the gaming industry. The Xbox brand has propelled the company to become the fourth-largest games company globally, trailing only Tencent, Sony, and Apple. However, Microsoft is actively taking steps to increase its market share in this sector.
One of Microsoft's notable achievements in gaming is the introduction of the Xbox Game Pass, a game subscription service that has transformed how millions of gamers consume games since its launch in 2017. By offering users access to an extensive collection of games for a low monthly fee, Game Pass eliminates the need to purchase games individually. Moreover, Microsoft adds its own game titles to the platform on their launch day, which is a significant selling point. With the acquisition of more game studios, Game Pass has become increasingly attractive to gamers, offering hit titles and value-added features that make the Xbox console more appealing than competitors like Sony's PlayStation 5.
Despite facing macroeconomic challenges, Microsoft's games business has continued to grow, thanks to the success of Xbox Game Pass. In the third quarter of 2023 (ending March 2023), revenue from the service increased by 3% year-on-year, and the number of Game Pass members grew by an impressive 150% from 2020 to 2022.
Analysts' Optimism:
Investors have been drawn to Microsoft this year due to the company's expansion into AI, resulting in the stock price rising nearly 30% since the beginning of 2023. Microsoft's strong brands, such as Office, Windows, Azure, and Xbox, have already made it an appealing investment. However, the company's foray into AI has further boosted its outlook. Savvy investors recognize that Microsoft possesses significant potential in AI and is leveraging its partnership with OpenAI to integrate the startup's technology across various services, including Office, Azure, and Bing. Additionally, Microsoft has made notable progress in gaming, with the rapid growth of its subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, which adds value to the Xbox console.
Analysts have expressed optimism about Microsoft's prospects, giving the company a buy/strong buy rating. They recognize the significant potential of Microsoft's expanding role in AI, the cloud market, and gaming. The average 12-month price target reflects a projected 7% growth in the stock. With its strong foothold in established industries and its investments in emerging technologies, Microsoft is seen as a long-term buy with substantial growth potential.
In summary, Microsoft's stock has experienced a substantial rise driven by its expanding ventures into AI, its dominance in the gaming industry through Xbox Game Pass, and the positive outlook from analysts. The company's strategic partnership with OpenAI and its integration of AI technology into various services position it as a leading provider in the AI market. Furthermore, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, Azure, has the potential to become a market leader. As Microsoft continues to innovate and expand its offerings, investors recognize the long-term growth opportunities it presents.
Microsoft Announces $60 Billion Buyback and Dividend HikeMicrosoft Corp. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MSFT ) recently announced two major moves designed to bolster shareholder value and solidify its position as a leading tech giant. The company unveiled a $60 billion stock buyback program along with a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend. This announcement has sent positive waves through the market, and investors are keeping a close eye on what this means for Microsoft's long-term outlook, especially amid its aggressive investments in artificial intelligence (AI).
The $60 Billion Buyback: Strategic Capital Allocation
On Monday, Microsoft revealed plans to repurchase up to $60 billion of its stock. While this figure may seem colossal, it represents less than 2% of the company's market cap, which currently stands at a staggering $3.2 trillion. Buybacks are a strategic way for companies like Microsoft to return capital to shareholders, reduce the number of shares outstanding, and increase earnings per share (EPS).
The buyback plan can be canceled at any time, signaling flexibility in Microsoft's strategy to navigate market conditions. The announcement comes at a critical time when investors are pressuring the company to show returns on its heavy spending in AI development, particularly through its flagship product, the Copilot AI assistant, and other AI-driven tools.
### Dividend Hike: Rewarding Loyal Shareholders
In addition to the stock buyback, Microsoft also announced a 10% hike in its quarterly dividend, raising it by 8 cents to 83 cents per share. This marks the 20th consecutive year the tech behemoth has increased its dividend, a testament to its commitment to rewarding long-term investors. The higher dividend will be payable on Dec. 12, 2024, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 21.
The steady rise in dividend payments is indicative of Microsoft’s robust financial health. As it continues to post consistent earnings, the dividend increase signals confidence in sustained cash flow generation, even as the company allocates substantial capital toward AI infrastructure.
A Focus on AI Investments
The timing of the buyback and dividend announcement coincides with Microsoft's unveiling of several new AI features. During its recent "Wave 2" event, Microsoft introduced updates to its Copilot AI, including enhancements in Excel, OneDrive, and Outlook. These AI-driven tools are part of the company’s broader push to integrate advanced machine learning and AI capabilities into its suite of products, driving future growth.
Jefferies analysts have described Microsoft as a "top AI beneficiary," citing strong adoption rates of its Copilot features and improvements in user experience. This aligns with the company’s focus on using AI as a growth driver, especially as demand for AI outpaces the company’s capacity to deliver.
Stock Performance and Technical Outlook
Microsoft stock has been on an upward trajectory, rising 15% year-to-date, and showing consistent strength over the past year. On Tuesday, NASDAQ:MSFT surged 1.66%, buoyed by the announcement, and continues to hold investor confidence.
Technically, Microsoft’s stock sits at an RSI of 66, indicating bullish momentum. This level is approaching overbought territory but still suggests room for continued growth, especially as Jerome Powell’s much-anticipated speech on rate cuts approaches. The stock’s resilience is evident as it has managed to retake all its moving averages and break past a 426.79 short-term high, a level seen as critical resistance.
Moreover, Microsoft has been in a steady upward trend since September 2023, maintaining consistent gains month-over-month. This steady performance is a signal of both investor confidence and the company’s ability to deliver, even amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
Conclusion:
Microsoft’s latest financial moves—both the $60 billion buyback and the dividend hike—demonstrate its ability to reward investors while continuing to focus on long-term growth. As it positions itself as a leader in AI, Microsoft’s ongoing investments are expected to pay off significantly in the years ahead.
With a solid balance sheet, growing dividends, and continued stock buybacks, Microsoft’s outlook remains strong. While some volatility may lie ahead due to macroeconomic factors, the combination of smart capital allocation and a focus on next-gen technology like AI puts Microsoft in a prime position to continue its upward trajectory in both stock price and market influence.
Investors looking for long-term stability combined with growth potential should keep Microsoft on their radar as it navigates the evolving tech landscape.
Microsoft's Strategic Moves: Navigating OpenAI's Internal ...Microsoft's Strategic Moves: Navigating OpenAI's Internal Turmoil for AI Dominance
In January, Microsoft made a significant $10 billion investment in OpenAI, marking its second substantial backing of the AI startup. However, recent internal upheaval within OpenAI, including the ousting of CEO Sam Altman, has raised questions about the impact on Microsoft's substantial investment.
Microsoft's investments have played a pivotal role in the development of OpenAI's language models, particularly the widely-used ChatGPT. The integration of ChatGPT into Microsoft's product portfolio, including platforms like Bing, Edge, and Windows, has provided Microsoft with a competitive edge in the AI industry.
The recent removal of Sam Altman has caused discontent among OpenAI's stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. Many employees are contemplating resigning, leading to uncertainty about the future of OpenAI. However, Microsoft sees an opportunity in this turmoil to strengthen its position in the AI industry.
In response to the internal chaos at OpenAI, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman and former OpenAI president Greg Brockman would join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research division. This strategic move allows Microsoft to leverage the expertise of these key figures, potentially mitigating any setbacks caused by OpenAI's internal challenges.
Microsoft's $10 billion investment in OpenAI is a multiyear deal with flexible details, including non-cash benefits like cloud computing credits. The possibility of OpenAI's workforce finding a new home at Microsoft is being speculated. While Microsoft faces regulatory constraints for an outright acquisition of OpenAI, the addition of key personnel from OpenAI, including Altman, positions Microsoft for a more pragmatic and commercially oriented approach to AI development.
Despite initial concerns reflected in a dip in Microsoft's stock value following Altman's dismissal, the subsequent news of Altman joining Microsoft resulted in a reversal, ending over 2% higher on Monday. While Microsoft owns 49% of OpenAI, the lack of operational control makes an outright acquisition unlikely. With Altman on board, Microsoft aims to reduce its dependence on OpenAI over the long term, contributing to positive trends in Microsoft's stock.
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Microsoft Overtakes Apple as World's Most Valuable Company
Microsoft briefly surpassed Apple as the world's most valuable company, marking a significant moment in the ongoing tech industry rivalry. This shift in leadership highlights Microsoft's strategic investments in generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically through its collaboration with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. As Microsoft's shares continue to soar, outpacing Apple, the dynamics of the technology landscape are evolving.
The Role of Generative AI in Microsoft's Ascendancy:
Microsoft's recent success can be attributed in part to its early adoption of generative AI technology, a field that has seen exponential growth in recent years. The company's investment in OpenAI, the innovative force behind ChatGPT, has played a pivotal role in reshaping Microsoft's business strategy. By incorporating OpenAI's technology into its suite of productivity software, Microsoft has revitalized its cloud-computing business, experiencing a notable rebound in the July-September quarter. The article delves into how generative AI is becoming a key differentiator in the competitive tech landscape and the advantages it offers Microsoft over its rivals.
Apple's Struggles and China's Impact:
Conversely, Apple finds itself grappling with weakening demand, particularly for its flagship product, the iPhone. A sluggish recovery in China's economy and the resurgence of competitors, such as Huawei, have added to Apple's challenges. The article examines the specific factors contributing to Apple's decline, shedding light on the economic landscape in China and the impact on the company's market share. Insights from analysts, like Redburn Atlantic, provide a comprehensive view of the challenges Apple faces and the potential drag on its performance in the coming years.
Market Valuation and Share Price-to-Earnings Ratios:
A critical aspect of the Microsoft-Apple rivalry lies in their market valuations and share price-to-earnings ratios. The article breaks down the financial metrics, highlighting that both companies are trading at premium valuations. Apple's forward price-to-earnings ratio of 28, well above its 10-year average, contrasts with Microsoft's ratio of around 31, exceeding its historical average as well. This section explores the implications of these valuations and what they indicate about investor sentiment towards the two tech giants.
The Historical Tug-of-War:
The article provides a historical perspective on the Microsoft-Apple rivalry, noting that Microsoft has briefly overtaken Apple as the most valuable company multiple times since 2018. It examines the specific instances, including 2021, when concerns about COVID-driven supply chain shortages impacted Apple's stock price. Understanding the historical context allows readers to appreciate the cyclical nature of the tech industry and the constant ebb and flow of market leadership between these two industry titans.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Microsoft's brief ascent over Apple highlights the transformative power of generative AI and strategic investments. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, factors such as market valuation, geopolitical challenges, and technological innovation will play crucial roles in determining the future trajectory of these industry giants. The Microsoft-Apple rivalry is far from over, and the interplay between their strengths and challenges will shape the narrative of the tech industry in the years to come.
Microsoft's €3.2 Billion AI Investment: A Boon for GermanyMicrosoft (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MSFT ) announced a staggering €3.2 billion investment over the next two years primarily directed towards bolstering Germany's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. This landmark investment, the largest by the U.S. software giant in Germany over the past four decades, signifies a resounding vote of confidence in Germany's innovation potential amid economic uncertainties.
Microsoft's ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) President, Brad Smith, unveiled the ambitious plan, emphasizing the company's unwavering confidence in Germany's position as a technological powerhouse. With a focus on doubling the capacity of AI and data center infrastructure, Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) aims to propel Germany to the forefront of AI-driven innovation, leveraging its rich legacy of technological prowess. Smith's statement underscores Germany's pivotal role in spearheading technological advancements, particularly in AI applications, despite facing challenges such as a significant skill gap in the AI sector.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed Microsoft's ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) investment as a testament to Germany's enduring appeal as a global business hub. Against the backdrop of a projected economic downturn, Scholz lauded the move as a catalyst for revitalizing Germany's economic landscape, aligning with his efforts to enhance the nation's business appeal. Despite acknowledging the prevailing economic challenges, Scholz expressed optimism, foreseeing a resurgence in economic growth fueled by strategic investments such as Microsoft's.
However, amidst the optimism surrounding Microsoft's landmark investment, concerns linger regarding bureaucratic hurdles and data privacy regulations. Smith's assurance of advocating for balanced and practical regulations reflects the company's commitment to navigating the regulatory landscape while maintaining global standards. Moreover, Microsoft's investment correlates with a broader trend of tech giants, including Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC and Intel, gravitating towards Germany with substantial state support, signaling the country's growing allure as a technology investment haven.
Marianne Janik, CEO of Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) Germany, provided insights into the geographical focus of the investment, hinting at the western Rhineland region and Frankfurt's banking hub as potential beneficiaries. While specifics regarding the allocation of funds remain undisclosed, Microsoft's strategic focus on key regions underscores its aim to foster localized innovation hubs, driving economic growth and technological advancement across Germany.
In conclusion, Microsoft's ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) monumental investment marks a transformative milestone in Germany's technological evolution, positioning the nation as a global leader in AI innovation. As Germany navigates through economic headwinds, Microsoft's unwavering commitment serves as a beacon of hope, heralding a new era of technological resurgence and economic prosperity propelled by AI-driven innovation.
Microsoft | Fundamental Analysis | Long Setup | MUST READ ! Microsoft recently became the subject of heated controversy following Satya Nadella selling more than half of his shares for about $285 million at the beginning of last week. As per an F-4 filing, the CEO sold 838,584 shares at prices ranging from $334.37 to $349.22, reducing his total stake to 830,791 shares.
Should investors be worried about such an extensive deal? Let's go back to Nadella's achievements, his salary, and previous stock sales to come to some conclusion.
When Nadella took over as Microsoft's third CEO seven years ago, the tech behemoth was in serious difficulty. New cloud services were undermining its desktop software, Windows users were adamantly sticking with legacy versions of the OS, and the company was losing out to Apple and Alphabet's Google in the mobile market.
But Nadella extremely altered things by actively developing the company's cloud services, redefining Windows as a cloud service, and dropping Windows Phone to launch new mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Microsoft's cloud business has been a major driver of the company's growth, with revenues rising from $86.8 billion in fiscal 2014 to $168.1 billion in fiscal 2021, which ended in June of this year, and EPS more than tripling.
With this growth, Microsoft's market value has risen from $300 billion on Nadella's first day in office to nearly $2.5 trillion today. So Nadella unquestionably earns to sell some of his stock after this historic rally.
In the fiscal year 2021, Satya Nadella's total compensation rose 13% to $49.9 million. This amount includes a base salary of $2.5 million, equity compensation of $33 million, and non-equity incentives of $14.2 million.
Thus, Nadella's latest deal pictures several years of cumulative stock awards. The deals also represent Nadella's only non-equity direct sales in the past two years.
Microsoft CFO Amy Hood also sold 60,000 shares (11% of the stock she owned at the time) at an average price of $303.08 in a direct transaction on Sept. 1. This was Hood's first direct sale since last September.
These insider sales are not certainly an indication that Microsoft is facing difficulties. Executives sell their stock all the time for personal reasons that have nothing to do with the company's immediate and long-term prospects. For example, Microsoft co-founder and first CEO Bill Gates sold most of his stock before leaving the board in early 2020 - but the company's stock has continued to rise.
Over the past three years, Microsoft stock has nearly tripled, and in the past 12 months alone, it has risen more than 50 percent. Analysts expect the company's revenues and profits to grow 17% and 14%, respectively, this year, but the stock certainly isn't cheap -- it's worth 36 times its projected earnings.
This higher ratio -- along with macroeconomic factors such as inflation, supply chain pressures, and the new COVID-19 option -- may have convinced Nadella, Hood, and other Microsoft insiders to sell some of their shares. Nevertheless, Nadella's shareholding will increase again this year as he gets more stock bonuses.
In general, it's more useful for investors to track insider deals at struggling companies -- where insiders can make rosy promises of a turnaround while dumping their own stock -- than at successful companies.
Microsoft is one incredibly successful company, and Nadella's big sale doesn't suggest that its long-term prospects have changed. As an outside investor, you also won't be entitled to more stock like Nadella, who can afford to sell his stock repeatedly because it makes up most of his paycheck.
So it makes no sense to short Microsoft just because the CEO sold half of his current stake. Instead, investors should be looking at Microsoft's cloud growth and expansion of its ecosystem, rather than worrying about Satya Nadella's well-deserved salary.
MicroSoft Takes Another Turn With Move to Bring ‘Call of Duty" Microsoft's gaming strategy has taken a significant turn with the reported move to bring Call of Duty to Xbox Game Pass. The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) plans to debut 2024's new Call of Duty at next month's Xbox Games Showcase, alongside the announcement that it will be available on Game Pass on its launch day. Microsoft's bet seems to be that Call of Duty on its Game Pass subscription service will spur a new wave of interest in both the service and the Xbox as a platform.
While rumors persist that Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) will raise the price or add new tiers to Game Pass in the near future, it would still let a single person play the new Call of Duty for a couple of months for less than the $70 cost of the base game. This could cannibalize the game's overall sales, particularly on the Xbox platform. In theory, this could authoritatively confirm or deny Microsoft's portrayal of the Game Pass service as a "discovery engine," where players frequently try games before they buy them. This could bring in a new wave of interest from people who might otherwise never have tried a new Call of Duty or might give a few million casual players an excuse to not buy this year's edition of the game.
As we learned last summer during Microsoft's court battle with the FTC over its Activision acquisition, Call of Duty by itself makes up a non-trivial amount of the video game audience. If Microsoft had simply decided to make Call of Duty a console exclusive on Xbox, it would have pulled roughly 7 million players away from Sony's PlayStation 4 and 5 systems. Instead, the reported plan is to let the game stay cross-platform, but to use it to drive Game Pass subscriptions.
The Call of Duty gamble, if it happens, would be the latest in a series of recent Xbox controversies. Microsoft's gaming arm was in good shape at the start of the year, with Xbox topped Windows in revenue for the first time, and its major competitors on console didn't have much left in the tank. Microsoft then announced earlier this month that it would shutter several of its studios, all of which were subsidiaries of Bethesda Softworks. This was the latest in a series of layoffs and shutdowns that has ravaged the international video game industry for the last 18 months, including 1,900 lost jobs at Xbox in January.
It's unlikely that next month's Showcase and the attendant Call of Duty reveals are a make-or-break moment for the Xbox project overall. Instead, it's more likely that Call of Duty on Game Pass will be a final test for Xbox's current operational strategy. If this falls through, the next move is a big executive shakeup, followed by a series of new initiatives. The upcoming year will either vindicate or vilify Spencer's time as head of Xbox, which could either take Call of Duty down a peg or lock it in place as the most valuable IP in the modern games industry.
Microsoft's Market Cap Skyrockets to $3.12 Trillion
Microsoft's Historic Market Cap Breaks Records
In a monumental shift in the tech industry's landscape, Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) has surged past Apple ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) to claim the title of the world's most valuable company by market capitalization. With its market cap reaching an unprecedented $3.12 trillion, Microsoft's ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) ascent marks a historic milestone, surpassing Apple's ( NASDAQ:AAPL ) previous record high of $3.090 trillion, achieved on July 31, 2023, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
This surge comes on the heels of Microsoft-backed OpenAI's remarkable achievement, as the AI startup reached a staggering $2 billion in revenue in December. As reported by the Financial Times, sources familiar with OpenAI's financials revealed this milestone, attributing it to the burgeoning demand for generative AI tools in corporate settings. OpenAI anticipates further exponential growth, aiming to double its revenue in 2025, fueled by robust interest from business clients seeking innovative AI solutions.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Propels Revenue Growth, Valuation Soars to $80 Billion
OpenAI's meteoric rise to a $2 billion revenue milestone in December underscores the increasing prominence of AI technologies in modern business landscapes. The company's ChatGPT product played a pivotal role in driving this growth, as its annualized revenue surged from $1.3 billion in mid-October to over $1.6 billion by December, as reported by The Information.
Investor confidence in OpenAI remains steadfast, with the San Francisco-based startup commanding a valuation exceeding $80 billion. The company's chief, Sam Altman, is actively engaged in discussions with potential investors, including the UAE, to secure funds for ambitious ventures. Notably, Altman seeks to spearhead initiatives aimed at bolstering global chip-building capacity, thereby enhancing OpenAI's ability to power advanced AI applications and drive technological innovation on a global scale.
Microsoft and OpenAI's Joint Endeavors
The convergence of Microsoft's unparalleled market dominance and OpenAI's groundbreaking achievements heralds a new era of innovation and technological advancement. As Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) solidifies its position at the forefront of the industry, its strategic partnership with OpenAI amplifies its capacity to pioneer transformative AI solutions.
Conclusion
As both entities continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, their collaborative vision extends beyond commercial success to encompass broader societal impacts. By leveraging OpenAI's expertise in AI research and development, Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) aims to empower businesses worldwide with cutting-edge tools and technologies, driving productivity, efficiency, and innovation across diverse sectors.
In the quest to redefine the future of technology, Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) and OpenAI stand as beacons of progress, poised to revolutionize industries, empower individuals, and shape the trajectory of global innovation for years to come.
Microsoft Stock Surges After Revenue, Earnings BeatsMicrosoft (MSFT) announced its quarterly earnings after the closing bell on Tuesday, beating analysts' expectations on revenue and earnings per share. The tech giant reported revenue of $56.5 billion in the quarter, above consensus estimates of $54.5 billion.
Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) topped out at $2.99 compared with an anticipated $2.66 per share. The company saw adjusted EPS of $2.35 during the same quarter last year.
Shares rose more than 3% in early trading on Wednesday, after Microsoft said higher-than-expected AI consumption boosted its cloud business.
Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud segment, which includes its Azure business, brought in $24.3 billion in the quarter. Wall Street was looking for revenue of $23.6 billion. Azure and other cloud services revenue jumped 29% in the quarter, beating Wall Street's expectations of 27%.
"With copilots, we are making the age of AI real for people and businesses everywhere," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement. "We are rapidly infusing AI across every layer of the tech stack and for every role and business process to drive productivity gains for our customers.”
The company's Productivity & Business Processes, meanwhile, saw revenue of $18.6 billion, while More Personal Computing took in revenue of $13.7 billion versus analysts' expectations of $18.3 billion and $12.9 billion, respectively.
Microsoft has made AI a cornerstone of its business over the last year, announcing a massive $10 billion investment in ChatGPT developer OpenAI and unveiling generative AI-enhanced versions of its Bing search engine and Edge browser in February.
Since then, the company has launched various generative AI-powered Copilot apps for Outlook, Windows 11, and Microsoft 365. The software can summarize emails, help you draft documents and create PowerPoint presentations, and provide insight into Windows 11 features. Microsoft says it will combine the Copilots into a single app in the future.
The investments are meant to help spark a new growth cycle for Microsoft, as customers look to artificial intelligence as a means of streamlining certain business processes and improving employee efficiency.
In addition to its massive focus on AI capabilities, Microsoft recently closed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The deal is the largest in Microsoft’s history and instantly makes it the third-largest video game company in the world by revenue behind Tencent and Sony. The Federal Trade Commission, however, could still try to break up the companies on antitrust grounds.
Microsoft Hires Sam Altman And Greg Brockman For New AI TeamMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella hires OpenAI's ex-CEO Sam Altman and ex-president Greg Brockman for its new advanced AI research team.
Microsoft officially hires OpenAI’s ex-CEO Sam Altman and ex-president Greg Brockman to lead a new advanced artificial intelligence (AI) research team. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made the announcement after OpenAI confirmed hiring Twitch co-founder Emmett Shear as interim CEO. The company will continue to have investments in OpenAI, while getting to know Emmett Shear and OpenAI’s new leadership team.
Microsoft Hires Sam Altman and Greg Brockman
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took to X on November 20 to officially announce hiring of former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman. They will lead a new advanced AI research team.
Nadella said the company remains committed to partnership with OpenAI and has confidence in the product roadmap. He added “our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners.” Microsoft will look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OpenAI’s new leadership team and working with them.
This is a very good move from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) because we can not overemphazised to the fact that AI is the gateway to web.3.0. Any company leveraging AI for its services and products is a good company to invest in, because in the long run it will succeed.
Technical Analysist
Price Momentum
MSFT is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average.
What does this mean?
Investors have been pushing the share price higher, and the stock still appears to have upward momentum. This is a positive sign for the stock's future value.
Microsoft Stock Jumps After Earnings Beat.Microsoft Stock Jumps After Earnings Beat. The Cloud Looks Strong.
Microsoft shares traded higher after the company posted better-than-expected financial results for its September quarter, aided by better performance than expected from the company’s cloud computing business.
The software firm posted revenue of $56.5 billion, up 13% from a year ago, and $2 billion ahead of Wall Street estimates.
Profits were $2.99 a share, well ahead of the consensus of $2.65 a share. Importantly, the company’s Azure cloud business grew 28% on a constant currency basis in the quarter, well above the company’s forecast for growth of 25% to 26%; on a GAAP basis Azure grew 29%. The company said Microsoft Cloud revenue was $31.8 billion, up 24%.
Microsoft shares closed up 3.1% Wednesday, the day after the report.
In the quarter, the company posted revenue of $18.6 billion for its Productivity and Business Processes segment, up 13% from a year ago, and ahead of its guidance range of $18 billion to $18.3 billion. That includes 15% growth in Office Commercial products.
Microsoft said its Intelligent Cloud segment, which includes Azure, had revenue of $24.3 billion, up 19%, and well ahead of its forecast range of $23.3 billion to $23.6 billion. Server products and cloud services revenue was up 21%.
Revenue from the More Personal Computing segment was $13.7 billion, up 3%, and nicely above the guidance range of $12.5 billion to $12.9 billion. Search and news advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs rose 10%. One big surprise in the quarter was that Windows OEM revenue—paid by PC manufacturers—was up 4%. The company’s guidance had called for a decline in the low-to-mid teens.
The company said commercial bookings in the quarter were up 14%, or 17% adjusted for currency.
Microsoft repurchased $3.6 billion of common stock in the quarter.
Microsoft shares have surged 36% in 2023, amid investor excitement about the company’s substantial investment in OpenAI, its integration of AI software into Bing, and its rollout of AI Copilot software across its software lineup.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: $MSFT) Bounces Off 0.5 Fib Retracement!🏀Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide. Its Productivity and Business Processes segment offers Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Office 365 Security and Compliance, and Skype for Business, as well as related Client Access Licenses (CAL); Skype, Outlook.com, OneDrive, and LinkedIn; and Dynamics 365, a set of cloud-based and on-premises business solutions for organizations and enterprise divisions. Its Intelligent Cloud segment licenses SQL, Windows Servers, Visual Studio, System Center, and related CALs; GitHub that provides a collaboration platform and code hosting service for developers; and Azure, a cloud platform. It also offers support services and Microsoft consulting services to assist customers in developing, deploying, and managing Microsoft server and desktop solutions; and training and certification on Microsoft products. Its More Personal Computing segment provides Windows original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licensing and other non-volume licensing of the Windows operating system; Windows Commercial, such as volume licensing of the Windows operating system, Windows cloud services, and other Windows commercial offerings; patent licensing; Windows Internet of Things; and MSN advertising. It also offers Surface, PC accessories, PCs, tablets, gaming and entertainment consoles, and other devices; Gaming, including Xbox hardware, and Xbox content and services; video games and third-party video game royalties; and Search, including Bing and Microsoft advertising. It sells its products through OEMs, distributors, and resellers; and directly through digital marketplaces, online stores, and retail stores. It has collaborations with Dynatrace, Inc., Morgan Stanley, Micro Focus, WPP plc, ACI Worldwide, Inc., and iCIMS, Inc., as well as strategic relationships with Avaya Holdings Corp. and wejo Limited. Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 and is based in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft (NASDAQ: $MSFT): One Of Strongest Stocks In Dow 30! 💪Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide. Its Productivity and Business Processes segment offers Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Office 365 Security and Compliance, and Skype for Business, as well as related Client Access Licenses (CAL); Skype, Outlook.com, OneDrive, and LinkedIn; and Dynamics 365, a set of cloud-based and on-premises business solutions for organizations and enterprise divisions. Its Intelligent Cloud segment licenses SQL, Windows Servers, Visual Studio, System Center, and related CALs; GitHub that provides a collaboration platform and code hosting service for developers; and Azure, a cloud platform. It also offers support services and Microsoft consulting services to assist customers in developing, deploying, and managing Microsoft server and desktop solutions; and training and certification on Microsoft products. Its More Personal Computing segment provides Windows original equipment manufacturer (OEM) licensing and other non-volume licensing of the Windows operating system; Windows Commercial, such as volume licensing of the Windows operating system, Windows cloud services, and other Windows commercial offerings; patent licensing; Windows Internet of Things; and MSN advertising. It also offers Surface, PC accessories, PCs, tablets, gaming and entertainment consoles, and other devices; Gaming, including Xbox hardware, and Xbox content and services; video games and third-party video game royalties; and Search, including Bing and Microsoft advertising. It sells its products through OEMs, distributors, and resellers; and directly through digital marketplaces, online stores, and retail stores. It has collaborations with Dynatrace, Inc., Morgan Stanley, Micro Focus, WPP plc, ACI Worldwide, Inc., and iCIMS, Inc., as well as strategic relationships with Avaya Holdings Corp. and wejo Limited. Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 and is based in Redmond, Washington.
Microsoft to Use Cloud Customers AMD's AI Chips in Place of NVDAMicrosoft plans to offer cloud computing customers AMD's AI chips as an alternative to Nvidia's H100 family of powerful graphics processing units (GPUs). Details will be provided at Microsoft's Build developer conference next week. Microsoft's clusters of Advanced Micro Devices' ( NASDAQ:AMD ) flagship MI300X AI chips will be sold through its Azure cloud computing service.
These chips are powerful enough to train and run large AI models, and NASDAQ:AMD expects $4 billion in AI chip revenue this year. Microsoft's cloud computing unit also sells access to its own in-house AI chips called Maia. The Cobalt 100 processors, which Microsoft plans to preview next week, offer 40% better performance than other processors based on Arm Holdings' technology.
Snowflake and others have begun using them. The Cobalt chips are being tested to power Teams, Microsoft's messaging tool for businesses, and are positioned to compete with Amazon.com's in-house Graviton CPUs.
Technical Outlook
Advance Micro Devices (AMD) stock is up 2.1% on Friday's early market trading with the daily chart depicting a resurgence in price due to the bullish flag pattern formed. Further accentuating the bullish trend is the "Three White soldier" pattern which is a bullish reversal pattern that occurs after a falling wedge or downtrend, it signifies bullish takeover.
Microsoft Set to Rival Google and OpenAI On Development of MAI-1Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) is developing a new AI language model, MAI-1, to compete with Google and OpenAI. Under the supervision of Mustafa Suleyman, former Google DeepMind co-founder, the model aims to surpass the capabilities of Google and OpenAI. MAI-1 is expected to surpass Microsoft's previous smaller, open-source models in size and capability, potentially signaling higher costs. The purpose of MAI-1 is yet to be fully determined and is contingent upon its performance.
The model's unveiling may occur during Microsoft's upcoming Build developer conference. Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) recently introduced Phi-3-mini, a smaller AI model, aiming to broaden its client base with cost-effective alternatives. Phi-3-mini, measuring 3.8 billion parameters, is available in the Microsoft Azure AI Model Catalog, Hugging Face, Ollama, and as an NVIDIA Corporation NIM microservice with a standard API interface.
Microsoft's substantial investment in OpenAI technology and ChatGPT deployment has positioned it as a frontrunner in generative AI.
Microsoft Regains Top Spot as Most Valuable Company Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MSFT ) has reclaimed its place as the world’s most valuable public company. The tech giant now holds a market capitalization of $2.64 trillion, surpassing Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:AAPL ), which fell to $2.59 trillion.
Apple’s sharp decline followed a major 23% sell-off over four days. This came after President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs. These tariffs hit countries like China, India, Vietnam, and Brazil. Apple’s heavy reliance on these regions for manufacturing intensified investor concerns.
Meanwhile, Microsoft appears less exposed to tariff risks. Analysts say the company remains a stable large-cap stock during ongoing market volatility. Microsoft previously held the top spot briefly last year but was overtaken by Apple and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:NVDA ), now ranked third at $2.35 trillion.
Technical Analysis
Microsoft’s stock is trading at $383.15, up 8.06%, with a high of $387.07 so far today. The price rebounded sharply from the support level near $345. This zone had previously acted as resistance in late 2021 and early 2022. It now serves as strong support. The volume spike confirms buyer interest at this level.
The projected path shows a potential bounce toward $468, the recent high. If the trend holds, Microsoft may attempt a new all-time high.
Microsoft (MSFT) Q2 2023 EarningsMicrosoft (MSFT) reported the second fiscal quarter 2023 financial results after the market close. EPS beat the low estimates but revenue came below expectations, Azure cloud unit showed strong growth. Here are the key points:
Earnings per share came at $2.32 a decline from $2.48 a share a year ago but topping the expectations of $2.27.
Revenue for the quarter came at $52.7 billion below the expectations of $52.94 billion. Revenue growth is 2% (YoY) which is the slowest pace since 2016.
The Intelligent cloud revenue reported at $21.51 billion below the estimates of $21.43 billion.
Server products and cloud services revenue increased 20% driven by Azure and other cloud services revenue growth of 31%.
Azure grew 38% (YoY) topping the consensus of 37%. Here are the last quarters Azure growth:
Q3 ’21: 48%
Q4 ’21: 46%
Q1 ’22: 49%
Q2 ’22: 46%
Q3 ’22: 42%
Q4 ’22: 38%
Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $17.0 billion.
Revenue in More Personal Computing was $14.2 billion and decreased 19%.
Operating income was $20.4 billion GAAP and $21.6 billion non-GAAP
Diluted earnings per share were $2.20 GAAP and $2.32 non-GAAP
Here is Microsoft’s $MSFT December Quarter Revenue since 2006
2006: $12.5B
2007: $16.4B
2008: $16.6B
2009: $19B
2010: $20B
2011: $20.9B
2012: $21.5B
2013: $24.5B
2014: $26.5B
2015: $23.8B
2016: $25.8B
2017: $28.9B
2018: $32.5B
2019: $36.9B
2020: $43.1B
2021: $51.7B
2022: $52.7B
Microsoft Analyst’s Expectations and latest Price Target
Analysts expected Microsoft to report earnings per share of $2.27 and revenue of $52.94. Revenue growth for the Azzure segment is expected to grow by 37%.
On January 20, Mizuho reiterated Microsoft at Buy and reduced the price target from $305 to $290. Guggenheim on January 17, downgraded MSFT from Neutral to Sell and set a price target of $212.
Microsoft $MSFT - About to go on another run? 19% UpsideMicrosoft - NASDAQ:MSFT 🖥️
Microsoft with a big statement today for themselves and the MAG7! The runs not over! All MAG7 names are moving higher today and carrying the market.
Is this the beginning of the next leg up for BIG TECH?
Microsoft was forming a nasty H&S on the charts but has formed a Symmetrical Triangle pattern at then same time and is currently breaking out. They also broke out of the WR% downtrend and are launching off the AVP shelf to make a push back to ATH's.
Finally the H5 indicator is pointing upward and working on flipping back to GREEN.
🎯$466 📏$512 ⏳ May2025
NFA
Microsoft (MSFT) Hits All-time High After Hiring Sam AltmanMicrosoft stock reached a record high on Monday after the company said that Sam Altman, former chief executive of OpenAI, will join the company to head its artificial intelligence innovation leg.
Shares of the tech behemoth rose 2.1% to an all-time high close of $377.44 on Monday, beating the previous record of $376.17.
That comes after shares of Microsoft fell 1.7% on Friday, when Sam Altman was ousted from his position at OpenAI in a boardroom coup. Microsoft is the artificial intelligence firm’s biggest stakeholder, with a $13 billion investment in the company.
Technical Analysist
Price Momentum
MSFT is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average.
What does this mean?
Investors have been pushing the share price higher, and the stock still appears to have upward momentum. This is a positive sign for the stock's future value.
"Microsoft's Quantum Leap: How Quantum tech can shape the futureMicrosoft's Quantum Leap: A Bullish Trend on NASDAQ
Microsoft (MSFT) is experiencing a bullish surge on NASDAQ. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for MSFT indicates strong buying momentum, with levels well above the 70 threshold, signaling an overbought condition and potential for further gains. The Simple Moving Averages (SMA) show a golden cross, with the 50-day SMA crossing above the 200-day SMA, a classic bullish signal. This suggests strong upward momentum and investor confidence in Microsoft's strategic investments in cloud computing, AI, and quantum computing. As technology continues to evolve, MSFT appears well-positioned for sustained growth.