Shares of the tech-giant Microsoft (MSFT -2.83%) were plummeting today as the broader market responded negatively to an escalating trade war with China. Investors are still trying to decipher the impact of 10% tariffs on other countries -- along with 145% on China -- and if higher tariffs are still on the table after President Trump walked back some of the highest ones yesterday.Additionally, Microsoft investors are likely processing news from yesterday that said the company may be cutting additional jobs n ...

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft Corp's stock is experiencing a pullback after a significant 10% increase, influenced by a cautious outlook from Wedbush, which lowered its price target due to tariff-related uncertainties [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Microsoft stock is down 1.6% in premarket trading after a notable rally, following a five-day losing streak and hitting a low of $344.79, the lowest since November 2023 [1][2]. - Despite the recent recovery, Microsoft remains down 7.4% year to date and is encountering technical resistance from key moving averages [2]. Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Market Sentiment - Wall Street analysts are largely optimistic, with 43 out of 46 maintaining a "buy" or better rating, although the average 12-month price target of $498.01 indicates a 29.5% premium over the recent close, suggesting potential for a reset in expectations [3]. - The current bullish sentiment may be overstretched given the macroeconomic uncertainties affecting the tech sector [3]. Group 3: Volatility and Trading Strategies - Microsoft's Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) is at 27 out of 100, indicating that the stock has underperformed relative to the volatility priced into its options, making it a candidate for premium-selling strategies [4].

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is slowing or pausing some of its data center construction projects, including a $1 billion initiative in Ohio, indicating a potential shift in demand for AI technology and infrastructure [2][11]. Company Actions - Microsoft confirmed the halt of early-stage projects on its rural land in Licking County, Ohio, reserving two of the three sites for farmland [3]. - The company is scaling back on international data center expansion and canceling some leases in the U.S. for data centers operated by other companies [6]. Industry Context - The demand for cloud and AI services has grown unexpectedly, prompting Microsoft to undertake a significant infrastructure scaling project [4]. - The generative AI boom has increased the need for data centers to train and operate AI systems, but the high costs and energy requirements are prompting reconsideration of expansion plans [9][10]. Strategic Partnerships - Microsoft and OpenAI have altered their agreement, allowing OpenAI to build its own computing capacity, which may influence Microsoft's data center strategy [8]. - Analysts suggest that the changes in Microsoft's data center plans are linked to its evolving relationship with OpenAI [6][7]. Future Outlook - Despite the pauses, Microsoft plans to invest over $80 billion globally to expand its AI infrastructure in the current fiscal year, having already doubled its data center capacity in the past three years [11].

Microsoft Corporation NASDAQ: MSFT was already down about 9% for the year. So shareholders can’t be too scared of the additional sell-off in MSFT stock since the Trump tariff policy caused the markets to swoon. However, with the stock trading near its 52-week low and at a level not seen since October 2023, it’s fair to ask if the stock has become too cheap to ignore. Microsoft TodayMSFTMicrosoft$354.56 -3.30 (-0.92%) 52-Week Range$344.79▼$468.35Dividend Yield0.94%P/E Ratio28.55Price Target$508.00Add to Wat ...

Microsoft is considering another round of job cuts that could come as soon as May, according to people familiar with the matter. Leaders on some Microsoft teams are specifically discussing cuts to middle managers, and how to increase the ratio of coders versus non-coders on projects, the sources told Business Insider.Some Microsoft organizations want to increase their "span of control," or the number of employees who report to each manager, these people said. The sources, who hold senior positions at the ...

Core Points - Microsoft terminated the roles of two software engineers who protested against the company's dealings with the Israeli military during a recent event [1][2] - The protests included vocal interruptions during keynotes and panels, highlighting internal dissent regarding the company's policies [2] Group 1 - Microsoft stated that one of the terminated employees could have raised concerns through proper channels instead of disrupting the event [2] - The protests were led by Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, who made public statements during high-profile speeches by Microsoft executives [2] - Aboussad later sent an email claiming the company silenced dissenting voices, linking to a petition from a group opposing Microsoft's work with Israel [2]

Microsoft has fired two employees who interrupted the company’s 50th anniversary celebration to protest its work supplying artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military, according to a group representing the workers.Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.The protests began Friday when Microsoft software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad walked up to a stage where an executive was announcing new product features and a long-term vision for Microsoft’s AI ambitions. 3 Micro ...

Microsoft terminated the software engineers who protested at company events on Friday over the Israeli military's use of the company's AI products, according to documents viewed by CNBC.Ibtihal Aboussad, a software engineer in the company's artificial intelligence division who is based in Canada, was fired Monday over "just cause, wilful misconduct, disobedience or wilful neglect of duty," according to one of the documents. Another Microsoft software engineer, Vaniya Agrawal, had said she would resign from ...

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Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) has long been one of the leading technology companies in the market that provides solutions from cloud infrastructure to gaming to computer devices/software.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no ...