Microsoft is rated Buy after its recent pullback, with valuation now attractive and strong growth persisting. MSFT's Q2 headline results were robust, led by 28% constant currency growth in Intelligent Cloud and significant operating income expansion. Concerns over high CapEx and 45% OpenAI exposure in backlog are outweighed by diversified RPO growth, industry-wide AI investment, and OpenAI's strength.
Microsoft has just experienced a sell-off due to fears about rising CAPEX. Investors tend to correlate CAPEX with Azure growth too directly and ignore other initiatives of Microsoft. Rising CAPEX (66% y/o/y) is also the result of more favorable tax policies introduced by the Big Beautiful Bill.
Fresh optimism about OpenAI's finances is boosting some corners of the AI trade.
UBS downgraded the U.S. technology sector to neutral on Tuesday, citing pervasive uncertainty in the software industry and the likelihood that AI infrastructure spending will moderate soon.
Microsoft is exploring using superconducting power lines in its data centers, which could potentially accelerate its massive U.S. build-out of the server warehouses by making them more energy-efficient, the company said on Tuesday.
Both stocks are relatively cheap on an earnings basis. And the companies have projected revenue growth rates much higher than that of the S&P 500.
Microsoft (MSFT) is upgraded to a strong buy amid negative sentiment and a double-digit stock dip, despite robust fundamentals. MSFT posted 17% YoY revenue growth and resilient software performance, with Azure growing 39%, both exceeding guidance. Concerns about AI disruption and OpenAI concentration are outweighed by MSFT's diversified portfolio and integration of generative AI.
Cloud computing continues to be a dominant investment theme, with this tool a nice way to find exposure.
Microsoft and other hyperscalers are pouring billions of dollars into AI projects, and that's putting a damper on valuations
Microsoft Corporation shares have declined 25% since October, as investor focus shifts from AI-driven growth to concerns over capital expenditures. I view the market's capex concerns as overblown, presenting a long-term buying opportunity amid increased cloud capacity and margin expansion. Azure remains a key near-term catalyst, with 39% YoY Q2 growth constrained only by limited data capacity, not demand.
Microsoft' s ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) stock had a really strong run through most of 2025, fueled by the company's all-in bet on artificial intelligence (AI).
Microsoft (MSFT) stock has seen a slight decline over the last year, but how does its strong position in cloud and enterprise software truly stack up against AI-focused competitors?