Analysts' ratings for Microsoft MSFT over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 24 analysts.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 30D | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2M Ago | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Analysts have recently evaluated Microsoft and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $499.79, accompanied by a high estimate of $600.00 and a low estimate of $455.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 5.27% increase from the previous average price target of $474.77.
Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Microsoft by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Bracelin | Piper Sandler | Maintains | Overweight | $465.00 | $465.00 |
| Keith Bachman | BMO Capital | Raises | Outperform | $500.00 | $465.00 |
| Joseph Bonner | Argus Research | Raises | Buy | $526.00 | $475.00 |
| Tyler Radke | Citigroup | Raises | Buy | $520.00 | $495.00 |
| Joel Fishbein | Truist Securities | Maintains | Buy | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Ivan Feinseth | Tigress Financial | Raises | Buy | $550.00 | $475.00 |
| Pierre Ferragu | New Street Research | Announces | Buy | $570.00 | - |
| Timothy Horan | Oppenheimer | Raises | Outperform | $500.00 | $450.00 |
| Rishi Jaluria | RBC Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Daniel Ives | Wedbush | Maintains | Outperform | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Sarah Hindlian | Macquarie | Raises | Outperform | $475.00 | $460.00 |
| Rishi Jaluria | RBC Capital | Raises | Outperform | $500.00 | $450.00 |
| Daniel Ives | Wedbush | Maintains | Outperform | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Michael Turrin | Wells Fargo | Raises | Overweight | $500.00 | $480.00 |
| Andrew Marok | Raymond James | Raises | Outperform | $480.00 | $450.00 |
| Brad Reback | Stifel | Raises | Buy | $475.00 | $455.00 |
| Kash Rangan | Goldman Sachs | Raises | Buy | $515.00 | $450.00 |
| Kirk Materne | Evercore ISI Group | Raises | Outperform | $485.00 | $475.00 |
| Mark Murphy | JP Morgan | Raises | Overweight | $470.00 | $440.00 |
| Mark Moerdler | Bernstein | Raises | Outperform | $489.00 | $465.00 |
| Brent Bracelin | Piper Sandler | Raises | Overweight | $465.00 | $455.00 |
| Brad Reback | Stifel | Maintains | Buy | $455.00 | - |
| Tyler Radke | Citigroup | Lowers | Buy | $475.00 | $480.00 |
| Michael Turrin | Wells Fargo | Raises | Overweight | $480.00 | $460.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Microsoft. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.
- Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Microsoft compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Microsoft's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.
For valuable insights into Microsoft's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Microsoft analyst ratings.
All You Need to Know About Microsoft
Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).
Financial Milestones: Microsoft's Journey
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Revenue Growth: Microsoft's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 March, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 17.03%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Information Technology sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Microsoft's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 35.47% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 8.93%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 4.6%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.32.
Analyst Ratings: Simplified
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in Benzinga Pro.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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