MRA Advisory Group grew its stake in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT – Free Report) by 17.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,551 shares of the software giant’s stock after buying an additional 1,450 shares during the period. Microsoft accounts for 1.8% of MRA Advisory Group’s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. MRA Advisory Group’s holdings in Microsoft were worth $4,899,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Montgomery Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Frankly Finances LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth $35,000. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth $37,000. PMV Capital Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Fiduciary Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Microsoft by 37.4% during the 2nd quarter. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. now owns 125 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. 71.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Microsoft from $575.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on Microsoft in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Raymond James Financial set a $650.00 price target on Microsoft in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Microsoft from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-six have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $609.54.
View Our Latest Report on MSFT
Key Microsoft News
Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Microsoft’s free-cash-flow position may offer some reassurance: an analysis notes that several other major AI hyperscalers are generating negative free cash flow, while Microsoft is generating positive cash flow. Is Microsoft Getting Enough Credit for Better Free Cash Flow Compared to its Peers?
- Neutral Sentiment: Reports say Microsoft plans to reduce the number of neocloud partners it uses, wind down rented AI capacity from Oracle, and declined a Texas data-center expansion with Nscale. This could help control costs and give Microsoft tighter oversight as it builds its own infrastructure, but the implications for capacity growth remain uncertain. Microsoft plans to use fewer neoclouds as AI buildout shows signs of strain
- Negative Sentiment: Investors may read the canceled or reduced AI-computing commitments as a sign that Microsoft is reassessing demand, project timing, or returns on its data-center spending. The shift comes as reports highlight construction delays and the rising cost of meeting a growing AI backlog, intensifying scrutiny of whether heavy investment will pay off. Microsoft is winding down Oracle deal to rent AI cloud capacity, Bloomberg News reports
- Negative Sentiment: Broader unease around AI spending and tech-market volatility may also weigh on MSFT, as investors question the scale of data-center investment relative to future cash returns. Microsoft and Oracle’s AI ambitions are suddenly a lot more expensive
Microsoft Stock Performance
Microsoft stock opened at $530.61 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $3.94 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.69, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.21. Microsoft Corporation has a 1 year low of $349.20 and a 1 year high of $559.15. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $516.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $440.18.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The software giant reported $4.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.72 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $92.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.62 billion. Microsoft had a net margin of 41.17% and a return on equity of 31.28%. Microsoft’s revenue for the quarter was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.13 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Microsoft Corporation will post 19.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Microsoft Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be paid a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 19th. This is an increase from Microsoft’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Microsoft’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.46%.
Insider Activity
In other news, CEO Satya Nadella sold 86,525 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $501.46, for a total transaction of $43,388,826.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 486,763 shares in the company, valued at $244,092,173.98. This trade represents a 15.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Amy Hood sold 41,674 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $498.27, for a total value of $20,764,903.98. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 533,624 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $265,888,830.48. The trade was a 7.24% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 135,504 shares of company stock valued at $68,138,024 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company that develops software, cloud services, devices, and digital solutions for consumers, businesses, and public-sector organizations. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
Its products and services include the Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 productivity applications, Azure cloud computing, LinkedIn, GitHub, Surface devices, and Xbox gaming products and services. Microsoft also provides business software, cybersecurity tools, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Microsoft serves customers around the world through its products, online platforms, and network of business partners.
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