Core Insights - Microsoft's long-term trading history indicates a recurring seasonal pattern, particularly strong in January, which may present investment opportunities ahead of January 2026 [1][5] - The stock has shown an average return of 4.3% in January over nearly four decades, with positive performance in 66% of those periods [3][4] - January is highlighted as the month with the strongest combination of frequency and magnitude of gains compared to other months like March, April, and October [4] Financial Performance - In the most recent quarter, Microsoft reported $76.4 billion in revenue, reflecting an 18% year-over-year increase, and net income of $27.2 billion, with diluted earnings per share at $3.65, a 24% annual increase [6] - Growth was primarily driven by cloud and AI operations, indicating strong fundamentals supporting the stock's potential for continued rally [5][6] Strategic Developments - Microsoft has introduced expanded Copilot capabilities and new AI tools across Microsoft 365 and Azure, enhancing its monetization of AI [7] - The company is investing billions to expand global AI and cloud capacity, with large-scale data-center developments in regions like India and Canada set to come online through 2025-2026 [7][9] - As these facilities become operational, Microsoft is expected to handle higher AI and cloud workloads, supporting stronger demand for Azure and reinforcing long-term revenue visibility [9]
Why you need to buy Microsoft stock before January 2026