Analysts at Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage set a “buy” rating on the software giant’s stock.
A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Microsoft from $625.00 to $575.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Microsoft from $600.00 to $510.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $630.00 to $615.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $640.00 to $620.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $392.00 target price (down from $540.00) on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-eight have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Microsoft currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $588.97.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MSFT
Microsoft Trading Up 0.1%
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The software giant reported $4.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.86 by $0.28. Microsoft had a return on equity of 32.34% and a net margin of 39.04%.The company had revenue of $81.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $80.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.23 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Microsoft will post 13.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other Microsoft news, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 12,321 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $409.52, for a total transaction of $5,045,695.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 137,933 shares in the company, valued at $56,486,322.16. The trade was a 8.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director John W. Stanton purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $397.35 per share, with a total value of $1,986,750.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 83,905 shares in the company, valued at $33,339,651.75. This represents a 6.34% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Microsoft
Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BLVD Private Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Microsoft by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. BLVD Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,169 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $1,641,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Foundation Wealth Management LLC PA boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 1.6% in the second quarter. Foundation Wealth Management LLC PA now owns 1,276 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $635,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Magnolia Capital Management Ltd. increased its stake in Microsoft by 0.3% in the third quarter. Magnolia Capital Management Ltd. now owns 6,509 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $3,371,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. ARK & TLK Investments LLC raised its holdings in Microsoft by 1.0% during the third quarter. ARK & TLK Investments LLC now owns 1,935 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $1,002,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rochester Wealth Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Microsoft by 2.9% during the third quarter. Rochester Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 700 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.13% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting Microsoft
Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Plans to invest $5.5 billion in Singapore through 2029 to build cloud and AI infrastructure — reinforces Azure capacity in APAC and supports long‑term enterprise demand for Microsoft’s cloud services. Microsoft Plans to Invest $5.5 Billion in Singapore by 2029
- Positive Sentiment: Commitment to invest >$1 billion in Thailand over two years for cloud and AI infrastructure — expands regional data‑center footprint and potential Azure revenue. Microsoft plans $1 billion investment in Thailand, Thai government says
- Positive Sentiment: Exclusive power‑supply agreement with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to explore large energy projects for data centers — helps secure long‑term energy for AI compute and mitigates a key operational risk for Azure expansion. Microsoft, Chevron and Engine No. 1 sign exclusive deal for power supply
- Positive Sentiment: Benchmark initiated coverage with a Buy and $450 price target — adds institutional support and a bullish analyst viewpoint amid the pullback. Analyst sets Microsoft stock price target
- Neutral Sentiment: OpenAI raised $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation — validates massive demand and capital flowing into AI, which could accelerate cloud spend (benefitting Azure) but also reshapes competitive dynamics in the AI stack. OpenAI Raises $122 Billion in Funding Round Valuing Company at $852 Billion
- Neutral Sentiment: Microsoft reshuffled its entire AI organization — management aligning AI assets could improve execution, but details will determine speed of monetization and margin impact. Microsoft Just Reshuffled Its Entire AI Organization. Should Investors Be Worried — or Excited?
- Negative Sentiment: U.K. competition authority launching an antitrust probe into Microsoft’s business‑software ecosystem and cloud licensing — regulatory action could lead to remedies, pricing/packaging changes or operational constraints in Europe. UK to launch antitrust probe into Microsoft’s business software
- Negative Sentiment: Market reaction to a steep quarterly selloff and commentary that Microsoft just had its worst quarter since 2008 — investor worry centers on heavy AI‑related capex, margin pressure and uncertain adoption/monetization pace for Copilot and other AI products. Microsoft closes worst quarter on Wall Street since 2008 on AI concerns
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft develops, licenses and supports a broad range of software products, services and devices for consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. Its operations span personal computing, productivity software, cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, developer tools and gaming.
Microsoft’s product portfolio includes the Windows operating system and the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity and collaboration tools (Office apps, Outlook, Teams).
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