Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirty-two analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $494.80.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $509.00 target price on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. UBS Group decreased their price target on Microsoft from $510.00 to $480.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $475.00 price objective (down previously from $500.00) on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Microsoft from $510.00 to $500.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Microsoft from $490.00 to $470.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th.

Microsoft Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of MSFT opened at $374.58 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Microsoft has a twelve month low of $344.79 and a twelve month high of $468.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.78 trillion, a P/E ratio of 30.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.00. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $385.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $411.70.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The software giant reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.08. Microsoft had a net margin of 35.43% and a return on equity of 33.36%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.93 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Microsoft will post 13.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Microsoft Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. Microsoft's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.73%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Microsoft

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Newton One Investments LLC lifted its stake in Microsoft by 66.7% in the first quarter. Newton One Investments LLC now owns 75 shares of the software giant's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Microsoft in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. IFS Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Microsoft by 53.8% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the software giant's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. 71.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions worldwide. The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers office, exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft viva, and Microsoft 365 copilot; and office consumer services, such as Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, Office licensed on-premises, and other office services.

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