Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reiterated by stock analysts at Guggenheim in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $586.00 price objective on the software giant’s stock. Guggenheim’s price target indicates a potential upside of 39.07% from the company’s current price.
A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on Microsoft in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $500.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and set a $590.00 target price on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Benchmark assumed coverage on Microsoft in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Microsoft from $575.00 to $550.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-eight have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $575.34.
Read Our Latest Report on Microsoft
Microsoft Stock Down 2.7%
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The software giant reported $4.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $81.27 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $80.28 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.23 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Microsoft will post 16.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Insider Transactions at Microsoft
In other news, Director John W. Stanton purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was bought at an average price of $397.35 per share, with a total value of $1,986,750.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 83,905 shares in the company, valued at $33,339,651.75. The trade was a 6.34% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 12,321 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $409.52, for a total value of $5,045,695.92. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 137,933 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $56,486,322.16. This represents a 8.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Trading of Microsoft
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 51.3% in the 2nd quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 59 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Bernzott Capital Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Microsoft in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Microsoft in the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Timmons Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Microsoft in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Fairway Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 287.0% in the 4th quarter. Fairway Wealth LLC now owns 89 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.13% of the company’s stock.
More Microsoft News
Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Announced a large AI/cloud expansion in Australia — a A$25B (~$18B) investment through 2029 to grow Azure AI supercomputing, cybersecurity and upskilling, which supports long?term Azure capacity and AI revenue growth. Microsoft expands AI footprint in Australia with $18 billion investment
- Positive Sentiment: Plans to integrate Anthropic’s Claude Mythos into its security development lifecycle — strengthens Microsoft’s AI/security stack and partnerships, reducing product risk and improving secure AI development. Microsoft to integrate Anthropic’s Mythos into its security development program
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to back Copilot and Azure-led AI growth (several Overweight/Buy views and high price targets), supporting the bull case that AI adoption drives durable revenue upside. Microsoft rides AI wave as analysts back Copilot and Azure growth
- Neutral Sentiment: Fiscal Q3 earnings due April 29 — an important catalyst that could reprice the stock either way depending on Azure/Copilot traction and guidance. Microsoft will report Q3 earnings on April 29 — Here’s who owns MSFT stock
- Neutral Sentiment: LinkedIn leadership change: COO Daniel Shapero named CEO — operational continuity but limited near?term market impact. Microsoft’s LinkedIn names longtime exec Daniel Shapero its new CEO
- Neutral Sentiment: Reports Microsoft considered buying AI coding startup Cursor but did not bid — shows M&A interest in AI tools but no deal risk/reward realized. Microsoft looked at buying Cursor before SpaceX deal, sources say
- Negative Sentiment: Announced its first voluntary retirement/buyout program for U.S. employees (senior director and below) and is decoupling stock from cash bonuses — signals cost management but raises retention risks and investor concern about growth staffing. Microsoft plans first voluntary employee buyout in company’s 51-year history
- Negative Sentiment: London tribunal ruled Microsoft must face a potential $2.8B/£2.1B mass claim over cloud licensing — legal exposure and uncertainty that can weigh on valuation. Microsoft must face $2.8 billion UK lawsuit over cloud computing licences
- Negative Sentiment: Rothschild & Co Redburn cut its price target to $400 and maintained Neutral — a visible analyst downgrade that can pressure sentiment. Rothschild & Co Redburn adjusts PT on Microsoft to $400 from $450, maintains neutral rating
- Negative Sentiment: Xbox Game Pass price cuts to win back gamers — good for retention but could pressure gaming margins and near?term revenue mix. Xbox Price Cuts: Microsoft Slashes Game Pass Rates to Win Back Fans
Microsoft Company Profile
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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