Microsoft Upgrade Leaves 99% of Analysts Bullish on the Stock

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on Microsoft Corp., with nearly 99% recommending to buy the stock following Guggenheim's upgrade to buy from hold ahead of quarterly results [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Upgrades and Recommendations - Guggenheim's upgrade reflects optimism regarding Microsoft's ability to leverage artificial intelligence advancements, positioning it as a beneficiary in the current market [2]. - Among the 73 analysts tracking Microsoft, only Hedgeye Risk Management maintains a neutral rating, with no analysts recommending to sell the stock [1]. Group 2: Market Performance and Price Target - Microsoft's shares increased by 1.3% in premarket trading and have risen 24% this year, outperforming the Nasdaq 100 Index's gain of approximately 21% [3]. - Guggenheim set a price target of $586 for Microsoft, indicating a potential upside of about 12% from the stock's last closing price [3]. Group 3: Upcoming Earnings and Investor Focus - Investors are anticipating Microsoft's first-quarter results on October 29, with a focus on AI-related growth trends and insights into the company's spending plans [3].