Apple And Microsoft's Strengths And Weaknesses Ahead Of Their Earnings - Analyst's Take - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Rosenblatt shares its concerns and convictions over two significant U.S. Big Tech stocks ahead of their earnings results.
Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett's checks of industry data ahead of Apple Inc's AAPL 3Q22 earnings report reflect a company's out-performing peers, boding well in a challenging environment, suggesting his slightly above FactSet consensus estimates are beatable.
Apple's big moves during the quarter in sports (deal to be the lead broadcaster of Major League Soccer, and reportedly in the lead to pick up Sunday NFL Ticket) seem brand-driven and disruptive, raising questions of how the economics work, which perhaps suggests confidence in Cupertino.
He had a Neutral rating with a price target of $168 on Apple.
Rosenblatt analyst Blair Abernethy marginally slashed his Microsoft Corp MSFT estimates due to Windows OEM headwinds and Euro decline and trimmed his target price to $330 (from $349) on higher interest rates and multiple comparable compression. He maintained a Buy rating.
Abernethy believes enterprise IT spending, Digital Transformation activity, and the cloud shift remained strong in the quarter.
He expects FY22E revenue growth but believes forex could add further headwinds in FY23.

Apple And Microsoft's Strengths And Weaknesses Ahead Of Their Earnings - Analyst's Take