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How Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Is Scaling AI Into Its Next Growth Engine
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-01 13:30
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the best Nancy Pelosi stocks to buy in 2026. On January 28, CEO Satya Nadella reiterated that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the beneficiaries of the AI expansion. Early investments in OpenAI and its own products and solutions have enabled the company to build an AI empire larger than some of its franchises. How Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Is Scaling AI Into Its Next Growth Engine Photo by Matthew Manuel on Unsplash The remarks come as the co ...
Is the Stalled Nvidia-OpenAI Megadeal AI’s First Domino to Fall?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 13:19
Advanced Micro Devices ( NASDAQ:AMD ): A multi-year deal to supply around 6 GW of GPU capacity, potentially valued up to $300 billion. OpenAI would also receive warrants for a 10% stake in AMD if certain targets are met.Microsoft ( NASDAQ:MSFT ) Azure: An incremental $250 billion commitment from OpenAI to purchase Azure cloud services for AI training and inference over several years.OpenAI’s position today is anchored in a dense network of partners and funding discussions that go far beyond any single Nvidi ...
Why Less Than 10% of AI Investors Plan to Reduce Their Holdings in 2026, and 3 Stocks Worth Buying in 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-28 21:45
The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is still going strong, now over three years after it began. According to research by The Motley Fool, roughly 9-in-10 investors surveyed said they intend to maintain or increase their AI stock investments this year. In other words, there are still few to no signs of fatigue regarding artificial intelligence stocks in the market. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join St ...
Raymond James Reiterates Outperform on Microsoft (MSFT) Ahead of Earnings
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-28 19:49
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the AI Stocks in Focus on Wall Street. On January 26, Raymond James analyst Andrew Marok reiterated an Outperform rating on the stock with a $600.00 price target. The rating affirmation comes ahead of the company’s fiscal second-quarter 2026 earnings report due today, January 28. Raymond James sees robust Azure performance for Microsoft stock, but remains cautious due to AI memory constraints. Overall, it is positive heading into earnings. According to the f ...
Microsoft (MSFT) Price Target Lowered at Stifel on Margin Pressure Concerns
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-27 17:38
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the AI Stocks in Focus on Wall Street. On January 26, Stifel analyst Brad Reback lowered the price target on the stock to $520.00 (from $640.00) while maintaining a Buy rating. The rating affirmation comes ahead of MSFT’s earnings report, with the firm citing near-term expense pressures limiting margin upside. Stifel anticipates Microsoft to exceed expectations for Azure cloud services growth by an estimated 200 basis points, reaching 39% growth on a constant ...
Microsoft to pay 2026's first dividend on this date; Here's how much 100 MSFT shares will earn
Finbold· 2026-01-27 14:29
Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is set to distribute its first dividend of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to shareholder returns with a declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.91 per share, payable on March 12, 2026 [1][4]. Dividend Details - The current share price of Microsoft is $470.28, resulting in a dividend yield of 0.77%, indicating its focus on growth rather than high yield [2][4]. - The forward payout ratio is 19.38%, suggesting that a small portion of earnings is returned to shareholders, allowing for significant reinvestment in core businesses like cloud infrastructure and AI [2][5]. - For investors holding 100 shares, the upcoming dividend will yield a cash payment of $91 for the quarter, translating to an annualized income of $364 if the dividend rate remains unchanged [5]. Dividend Growth and Stability - Microsoft has a strong track record of increasing its dividend for 24 consecutive years, positioning it among the most consistent dividend growers in the technology sector [6]. - The stock pays dividends quarterly, with historical data indicating an average price recovery of just over one day following dividend payouts, suggesting limited short-term selling pressure [6]. Market Context - Microsoft's dividend yield is below the broader technology sector average of 1.37%, but it may attract long-term investors looking for stability and predictable cash returns [7]. - The stock has experienced volatility as investors evaluate earnings and growth in key segments like Azure cloud services and AI, with analysts expecting strong earnings for the fiscal second quarter [8].
Themes Cloud Computing ETF Could Quietly Become One Of 2026’s Best Investments | CLOD
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-02 14:21
24/7 Wall St. Quick Read CLOD gained 8.8% year-to-date versus Nasdaq-100’s 21.4% return, trailing by over 12 percentage points. Gartner forecasts enterprise software spending will grow 15.2% in 2026 to $1.43 trillion. CLOD holds only $1.3M in assets with top 15 holdings representing 57% of the portfolio. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. While investors chased artificial intelligenc ...
Microsoft's AI advantage isn't all about OpenAI — and Wall Street loves it
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-15 12:00
Core Insights - Microsoft has made significant investments in OpenAI, totaling approximately $13 billion, viewing AI as a transformative platform akin to Windows in personal computing [1][3] - The partnership provides Microsoft with preferential access to advanced AI models, while OpenAI benefits from Microsoft's infrastructure and funding [2][6] - Analysts predict Microsoft's market cap could reach $5 trillion by 2026, driven by its AI initiatives [4][5] Investment and Partnership Dynamics - The relationship began with a $1 billion investment in 2019, positioning Microsoft as a key player in the AI landscape [3] - OpenAI is currently valued at $500 billion, with Microsoft holding a 27% stake, but the future value of this stake is uncertain [6][14] - The revised partnership allows both companies to diversify their collaborations, with OpenAI pursuing deals with other cloud providers [18][19] AI Integration and Product Development - Microsoft has integrated AI across its product suite, including Azure, Office, and consumer products like Bing and Edge, enhancing its competitive edge [7][8] - The Copilot suite exemplifies this integration, providing generative AI tools across various applications [8][22] - Analysts highlight that Microsoft's AI revenue is primarily driven by its own Azure services rather than its stake in OpenAI [15][16] Future Outlook and Market Position - Microsoft's strategy includes developing its own AI capabilities while maintaining a partnership with OpenAI, allowing for tailored solutions for a diverse customer base [11][12] - The company is expected to invest $80 billion in AI infrastructure through fiscal 2025, with potential for a $500 billion joint venture with OpenAI and other partners by 2029 [26][28] - Analysts remain optimistic about Microsoft's position in the AI market, citing its extensive portfolio and the potential for agentic AI to unlock new opportunities [22][23]
China Tech Companies Chart Different AI Courses Amid Capex Arms Race
Forbes· 2025-11-27 10:40
Core Insights - The article highlights the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the financial performance and capital expenditure strategies of major tech companies, indicating that AI is now a critical component of their business models [3][5][14]. Group 1: Big Tech Performance - In Q3 2025, major tech companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Apple reported strong revenue growth driven by AI and cloud services, with double-digit revenue gains [3][5]. - Microsoft experienced an 18% year-on-year revenue increase to $77.7 billion, largely due to demand for AI-enhanced Azure services, with capital expenditure reaching nearly $35 billion [9]. - Alphabet's revenue rose 16% to $102.3 billion, benefiting from enterprise AI demand, and it increased its 2025 capex guidance to $91–93 billion [9]. - Amazon's capital expenditure for the first three quarters of 2025 was $89.9 billion, with AWS revenue growing 20% in Q3, marking its fastest growth in years [9]. - Meta reported a 26% year-on-year revenue growth, with Q3 capex reaching $19.4 billion, as it plans to invest heavily in AI infrastructure [9]. - Apple achieved a record $94 billion in revenue for its June quarter, emphasizing significant growth in AI investments across its devices and services [9]. Group 2: Alibaba and Tencent's Strategies - Alibaba reported a 5% year-on-year revenue increase to RMB 247,795 million (US$34,769 million) but faced a 53% decline in net income to RMB 20,612 million (US$2,893 million) due to heavy investments [7]. - Tencent's revenue rose 15% year-on-year to RMB 192.9 billion (about $27 billion), with net profit increasing by 19%, showcasing resilience amid economic challenges [8]. - Tencent's capital expenditure in Q3 2025 was approximately RMB 13 billion (~$1.8 billion), down 24% from the previous year, indicating a more conservative spending approach compared to U.S. counterparts [13]. - Tencent's advertising revenue surged 21% year-on-year, attributed to AI-driven improvements in ad targeting and creativity [10]. Group 3: AI Infrastructure Investment - Big Tech companies are treating AI and cloud infrastructure as foundational investments, with capital expenditure profiles resembling national-scale infrastructure projects [6]. - The article notes a divergence in strategies, with U.S. firms focusing on building extensive AI infrastructure while Tencent emphasizes integrating AI into its existing ecosystem [14][19]. - The heavy spending on AI infrastructure by U.S. companies is solidifying their market dominance, creating a competitive landscape where smaller players may struggle to keep pace [14]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that the AI investment cycle is global and shows no signs of slowing, with companies needing to demonstrate that their AI investments can drive sustainable growth [17][18]. - The contrasting strategies of U.S. tech giants and Chinese companies like Alibaba and Tencent may shape the future of AI monetization and efficiency [19].
Microsoft Stock Faces An AI-Driven Physics Problem
Yahoo Finance· 2025-11-26 17:49
Core Insights - Microsoft Corporation's stock has declined nearly 9% from its 52-week high reached on October 29, despite a strong earnings report showing growth across all sectors, including Azure cloud services [1] - The company has reaffirmed its commitment to capital expenditure (CapEx) for building AI infrastructure, raising concerns about the impact of such spending on margins [2][4] - Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella indicated a need to "rapidly rethink the new economics of AI," highlighting the challenge of balancing significant CapEx with strong long-term demand for AI services [2][6] Capital Expenditure and AI Infrastructure - Microsoft and other hyperscalers are committing billions to AI infrastructure, with plans to increase CapEx spending as indicated in their fiscal year 2026 first-quarter earnings report [3] - The competitive landscape for AI infrastructure is intensifying, with companies needing to secure their own infrastructure or substantial cloud partners to avoid being disadvantaged in AI adoption [4] Margin Pressure and Market Dynamics - The near-term margin pressure faced by Microsoft is described as a "physics problem," where substantial AI CapEx is colliding with rising long-term demand [6] - The shift towards AI-native products and usage-based revenue models is being signaled as part of the company's strategic response to these challenges [6]