Evaluating Microsoft Against Peers In Software Industry

In the ever-changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, conducting thorough company analysis is crucial for investors and industry experts. In this article, we will undertake a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Microsoft MSFT and its primary competitors in the Software industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, our aim is to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.

Microsoft Background

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).

After thoroughly examining Microsoft, the following trends can be inferred:

• At 35.43, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio is 0.27x less than the industry average, suggesting favorable growth potential.

• The current Price to Book ratio of 11.09, which is 0.56x the industry average, is substantially lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation.

• The Price to Sales ratio of 12.61, which is 1.15x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.

• The company has a lower Return on Equity (ROE) of 8.87%, which is 4.79% below the industry average. This indicates potential inefficiency in utilizing equity to generate profits, which could be attributed to various factors.

• The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $38.23 Billion, which is 63.72x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.

• With higher gross profit of $45.49 Billion, which indicates 35.54x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.

• The company's revenue growth of 16.04% exceeds the industry average of 11.24%, indicating strong sales performance and market outperformance.

Debt To Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio assesses the extent to which a company relies on borrowed funds compared to its equity.

Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.

When assessing Microsoft against its top 4 peers using the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following comparisons can be made:

• When considering the debt-to-equity ratio, Microsoft exhibits a stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers.

• This indicates that the company has a favorable balance between debt and equity, with a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, which can be perceived as a positive aspect by investors.

Key Takeaways

For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The PB ratio is also low, suggesting a possible bargain opportunity. However, the PS ratio is high, signaling rich valuation relative to industry peers. In terms of ROE, Microsoft shows lower profitability compared to peers. The high EBITDA and gross profit levels reflect strong operational performance, while the high revenue growth indicates robust top-line expansion.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.