Microsoft Set to Monetize GenAI, Its Multi-Cloud Security Capabilities Underrated: Analysts

Microsoft Corp MSFT stock is trading higher Thursday, with at least two analysts boosting their price target.

Mizuho analyst Gregg Moskowitz maintains Microsoft with a Buy and raises the price target from $340 to $360.

Mizuho recently hosted its 5th Annual Cybersecurity Summit. Several influential public and private security companies, including MSFT, participated in this 1-day event. The analyst provided his key takeaways from the discussion.

Jonathan Neilson, General Manager and CFO of Security, believes MSFT articulated a well-rounded cybersecurity platform well positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for security technologies.

Neilson indicated that MSFT continues to take a share in many notable areas of cybersecurity, in part by driving more consolidation with a superior TCO for customers. 

Neilson views Security Copilot as a standalone monetizable opportunity for MSFT and believes this new solution should help organizations better combat the ongoing talent shortage within the cybersecurity industry. 

Neilson also said that MSFT's multi-cloud security capabilities are largely underappreciated and noted that the company had worked hard in this area.

Moskowitz remains encouraged by MSFT's ongoing cybersecurity innovation; more broadly, we believe the company is ready to capitalize on Generative AI.

The re-rating reflects even more confidence in MSFT's ability to monetize GenAI.

JP Morgan analyst Mark Murphy maintains Microsoft with an Overweight, raising the price target from $315 to $350.

AI is driving platform transformation & business model innovation.

The analyst sees a fast-growing path to $10 billion in AI business.

Price Action: MSFT shares traded higher by 2.46% at $345.58 on the last check Thursday.