Microsoft Wants to Lower Data Center Energy Use. Does That Help the Bull Case for MSFT Stock?

Core Insights - The artificial intelligence boom is causing concerns over electricity costs and strained power grids in local communities as data centers proliferate across the U.S. [1] - Microsoft has made a commitment to cover its data center energy costs, replenish more water than it consumes, and increase local tax revenues, aiming to alleviate community concerns [2] Company Overview - Microsoft, founded in 1975, has evolved from a software company into a global technology leader, influencing modern computing with products like Windows, Office, Teams, and Xbox [3] - The company has heavily invested in cloud computing through Azure, enhancing digital operations for businesses, and is now accelerating its integration of AI tools across its platforms [4] Stock Performance - Despite Microsoft's leadership in cloud and AI innovations, MSFT stock has faced challenges, with a market capitalization of approximately $3.4 trillion and a year-to-date decline of 5% in 2026 after a modest 7% rise in 2025 [5]