Michael Vi/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Coupang (CPNG) promises over $1 billion compensation for data leak victims. (00:24) China's private rocket company LandSpace prepares to stand against Elon Musk's SpaceX - report. (01:16) New York to require mental health warning labels on social media platforms. (02:21) This is an abridged transcript. South Korea's largest e-commerce platform, Coupang (CPNG) announced compensation exceeding $1 billion ...

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is expected to deliver solid but unspectacular growth in 2026, ranking as the No. 4 stock in the "Magnificent Seven" for that year [1][4]. Company Overview - Microsoft is a computing powerhouse, offering a wide range of products including personal computers, operating systems, tablets, gaming consoles, and services like LinkedIn, Edge, and Bing [2]. - The company has made significant investments in artificial intelligence, particularly through its partnership with OpenAI, enhancing productivity and automation for users [2][6]. Financial Performance - Microsoft has experienced substantial growth over the last decade, with revenue increasing by over 230% and earnings per share and net income rising by more than 500% [8]. - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Microsoft reported revenue of $77.7 billion, an 18% increase year-over-year, with net income of $27.7 billion, up 12%, and earnings per share of $3.72, up 13% [10]. Segment Performance - The company operates in three primary segments: - **Productivity and Business Processes**: Revenue of $33.02 billion, up 16.6% year-over-year, with operating income of $20.41 billion, up 23.5% [11]. - **Intelligent Cloud**: Revenue of $30.89 billion, up 28.2%, with operating income of $13.39 billion, up 27.5% [11]. - **More Personal Computing**: Revenue of $13.75 billion, up 4.4%, with operating income of $4.16 billion, up 17.8% [11]. - The Intelligent Cloud segment is growing rapidly and is expected to surpass the productivity software tools as the most lucrative segment if the growth trajectory continues [11]. Investment Perspective - Microsoft is viewed as a solid and reliable investment option for 2026, with a stronger growth engine than Apple and a more effective business model than Amazon, while being less volatile than Tesla [12][13]. - The company is positioned in the middle of the pack among the "Magnificent Seven," with dynamic growth opportunities seen in competitors like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms [13].

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is recognized for rewarding long-term investors through substantial dividends and stock buybacks, positioning itself as a strong investment choice among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks [1][2]. Dividend and Buyback Summary - In fiscal 2025, Microsoft allocated $24.08 billion to dividends and $18.42 billion to stock buybacks, surpassing other S&P 500 companies in total cash spent on dividends [2]. - Microsoft announced a 10% increase in dividends, marking its 16th consecutive annual increase, despite a current yield of only 0.7% [2][3]. - Over the past decade, Microsoft has increased its dividend by over 250%, although the yield has decreased due to a significant rise in stock price [9]. Investment Thesis - Microsoft is characterized as an underrated dividend stock, with a focus on dividend growth rather than just forward yield, which can misrepresent a stock's true income potential [5][8]. - The company is noted for its balanced approach to capital deployment, with a strong presence in cloud computing, AI, software, gaming, and personal computing [11][12]. - Microsoft's commitment to returning capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks positions it as a foundational stock for long-term investment [16][17]. Financial Metrics - Microsoft has a market capitalization of $3.6 trillion and a gross margin of 68.76%, indicating strong financial health [11]. - The company's free cash flow (FCF) remains robust, with capital expenditures rising but not outpacing cash flow from operations, unlike some competitors [12][15].

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Cramer mentioned the company during the episode and stated: “All these big tech companies live in fear of that. They believe that whoever wins AI could potentially win everything else, too. And if you let OpenAI in with its… balance sheet that you’ve been binged, that’s what’ll happen. You’ll be binged, and you know what happens if you’ve been binged? That’s Microsoft has Bing, and the other guy, Google has Google. Wel ...

Key Points Microsoft can endure cyclical slowdowns. Its growth and profitability continue to accelerate. The company is a good value and pays a growing dividend. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Welcome to the final article in a seven-part series ranking the best "Magnificent Seven" stocks to buy for next year. To recap, Tesla was in last place, followed by Apple as the sixth seed, Amazon in fifth, Alphabet fourth, Nvidia third, and Meta Platforms second. Here's why Microsoft (NASDAQ: ...

July 15, 2015, a young Nigerian traveled all the way from northern Nigeria to southwestern Nigeria to fulfill his long life dream to study medicine and surgery at the prestigious University of Ibadon. But that dream was shattered. The university rejected him.University said no. No medicine, no surgery, no admission. July 2016, this young man applied with the same vision, the same passion, the same grit, medicine and surgery to University of Abuja.Same story, no admission. But this time he had three options. ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Microsoft reported record-breaking financial results for FY25, with revenue growing 15% to over $281 billion, operating income increasing 17%, and earnings per share rising 16% [35][41] - The company returned a total of $37.7 billion in cash to shareholders, marking a 10% increase from the previous fiscal year [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Microsoft Cloud business revenue surpassed $168 billion, growing 23% year over year, with Azure revenue growing 34% to over $75 billion [36] - Microsoft 365 Commercial Cloud revenue grew 15%, while Dynamics 365 revenue increased by 19% [36] - The Microsoft 365 business exceeded $95 billion, up 14% year over year, with a consumer subscription base growing to 89 million [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - LinkedIn revenue surpassed $17 billion, with membership growing to 1.2 billion professionals, marking four consecutive years of double-digit member growth [38] - Gaming revenue exceeded $23 billion, with Game Pass revenue reaching nearly $5 billion for the first time [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Microsoft is focused on three core business priorities: security, quality, and AI innovation, with significant investments in AI infrastructure and solutions [41][42] - The company is building a planet-scale cloud and AI factory, with over 400 data centers across 70 regions [42] - Microsoft aims to lead in AI by integrating AI capabilities across its platforms and services, including the introduction of Copilot features in various applications [44][46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth momentum and emphasized the importance of innovation in AI and security [41][39] - The company anticipates continued demand for its cloud services and AI solutions, projecting strong revenue growth in the upcoming fiscal year [39] Other Important Information - The board of directors nominated John David Rainey for election, who is the Executive Vice President and CFO of Walmart [5] - Shareholders approved all management proposals, including executive compensation and the ratification of Deloitte & Touche as the independent auditor [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key risks associated with Microsoft's AI initiatives? - Management highlighted the importance of transparency and responsible AI deployment, acknowledging the potential risks of bias and misuse in AI technologies [32][19] Question: How is Microsoft addressing shareholder concerns regarding human rights and AI? - The company stated its commitment to human rights due diligence and ongoing assessments to prevent misuse of its technologies [32][25] Question: What steps is Microsoft taking to ensure its technology aligns with climate goals? - Management acknowledged the need for transparency regarding the environmental impact of its technologies and committed to addressing these concerns in future disclosures [30][29]

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft remains a significant player in the tech industry with a market cap of $3.65 trillion, presenting ongoing investment opportunities despite its size [3][4]. Company Overview - Microsoft is a member of the "Magnificent Seven" and is widely recognized for its diverse product offerings, including business productivity software, gaming through Xbox, and networking via LinkedIn [1]. - Investors who purchased Microsoft shares at its IPO in 1986 have seen substantial returns, with a $300 investment now worth over $1.4 million [2]. Growth Opportunities - The Azure cloud unit is a major growth driver, allowing businesses to rent server space and data storage, which is crucial as many companies are still undergoing digital transformations [3][4]. - Azure's revenue grew by 28% year over year in the most recent fiscal quarter, indicating strong demand despite current capacity constraints [5]. - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a new opportunity for Microsoft, with expectations of significant benefits as companies develop AI applications [6]. Market Position - Azure is one of the top three cloud infrastructure providers globally, and the traditional cloud market has substantial growth potential as digital transformations continue [4]. - Microsoft is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, which could lead to monetization opportunities through tools like the Copilot AI Assistant [6]. Long-term Investment Potential - While the stock may not replicate past compounding growth over the next four decades, it is still expected to be a solid long-term investment [8]. - The company's diverse business portfolio means it is not solely reliant on the success of AI, although AI developments may introduce stock volatility [7].

Social Media Engagement - Tesla community is urged to actively engage on LinkedIn to influence regulators [1] - The goal is to amplify Tesla's message on LinkedIn, a platform favored by regulators for external communications [1] - The call to action emphasizes maintaining a positive tone while advocating for Tesla [1] Regulatory Influence - Tesla is focusing on LinkedIn as a key platform for communicating with regulators [1] - The strategy involves leveraging the Tesla community to make an impact on regulatory discussions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Concerns about overvaluation of AI stocks and uncertainty regarding interest rate cuts have affected investor sentiment, but Nvidia's strong earnings report has somewhat alleviated fears of a bubble in AI-related investments. Top Wall Street analysts have recommended attractive stocks for long-term investment amidst recent market sell-offs [1]. Microsoft - Microsoft is viewed as a major beneficiary of the AI wave, with its Q1 FY2026 earnings exceeding expectations and Azure cloud revenue growing by 40% [2]. - Analyst William Power from Baird initiated coverage on Microsoft with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $600, highlighting its partnership with OpenAI as a key differentiator [2]. - Microsoft’s cloud business now accounts for 60% of total revenue, with strong performance in its core applications like Microsoft 365, LinkedIn, and Dynamics, maintaining a robust operating margin of 49% and a free cash flow margin of 33% [3]. Booking Holdings - Booking Holdings, which owns Priceline and Kayak, reported impressive Q3 results with double-digit growth in total bookings and revenue, prompting Wedbush analyst Scott Devitt to upgrade the stock from "Neutral" to "Buy" with a target price of $6,000 [5]. - Devitt noted Booking's advantages in scale, diversification, and strong liquidity, emphasizing its effective cost optimization and market share expansion in non-traditional accommodations [5][6]. - In the context of exceeding global travel demand, Booking's Q3 total bookings grew by 14%, leading Devitt to raise his 2025 total bookings growth forecast by 100 basis points to 11.5% [6]. DoorDash - DoorDash's rating was upgraded from "Neutral" to "Buy" by Devitt, with a target price of $260, despite mixed Q3 results and a forecast of significant investment in new plans and developments [7]. - The stock price decline post-earnings was seen as a buying opportunity, trading at approximately 17.7 times its 2027 adjusted EBITDA estimate, with concerns over capital expenditures and profit margins [8]. - Devitt highlighted that higher spending levels could impact short-term margins, but investments aimed at expanding market reach and enhancing product offerings are justified [8].