Comparative Study: Microsoft And Industry Competitors In Software Industry

In the dynamic and cutthroat world of business, conducting thorough company analysis is essential 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).

By closely examining Microsoft, we can identify the following trends:

• The stock's Price to Earnings ratio of 35.55 is lower than the industry average by 0.27x, suggesting potential value in the eyes of market participants.

• The current Price to Book ratio of 11.13, which is 0.55x the industry average, is substantially lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation.

• The stock's relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 12.65, surpassing the industry average by 1.13x, may indicate an aspect of overvaluation in terms of sales performance.

• 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.

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

• The gross profit of $45.49 Billion is 35.54x above that of its industry, highlighting stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.

• With a revenue growth of 16.04%, which surpasses the industry average of 11.24%, the company is demonstrating robust sales expansion and gaining market share.

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.

In light of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, a comparison between Microsoft and its top 4 peers reveals the following information:

• Microsoft exhibits a stronger financial position compared to its top 4 peers in the sector, as indicated by its lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

• This suggests that the company has a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be seen as a positive aspect for investors.

Key Takeaways

For Microsoft in the Software industry, the PE and PB ratios suggest that the stock is undervalued compared to its peers. However, the high PS ratio indicates that the market values its sales more highly. In terms of ROE, Microsoft's performance is weaker than its peers, while its high EBITDA and gross profit margins indicate strong operational efficiency. Additionally, the high revenue growth rate reflects a positive outlook for the company's future prospects.

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