Stock Update (NASDAQ:MSFT): PacCrest Lowers Microsoft Estimates, But Considers It Best-Positioned To Transition To The Cloud

[Benzinga] – Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT ) have appreciated 24.3 percent over the past three months, almost touching their 52-week high on December 16 at $56.13. Brendan Barnicle of Pacific Crest … Read more on this. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) , valued at $437.82B, started the session at $54.79. Looking at today’s trading action, the company’s one day range from $54.51 to $55.14 with its 52-week range being $39.72 to $56.79. MSFT shares are currently priced at 19.87x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 9.02x earnings multiple. And for dividend hunters, the company pays shareholders $1.44 per share annually in dividends, yielding 2.66%. Consensus earnings for the current quarter by the 28 sell-side analysts covering the stock is an estimate of $0.71 per share, which would be $0.00 worse than the year-ago quarter and a $0.01 sequential decrease. Furthermore, our analysis shows the full-year EPS estimate to be $2.76, which would be a $0.30 better when compared to the last year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $25.23 Billion. If reported, that would be a 4.68% decrease over the year-ago quarter. In terms of ratings, Goldman upgraded MSFT from Sell to Neutral (Dec 18, 2015). Previously, Stifel upgraded MSFT from Hold to Buy. With the above information in mind, readers should note that the average price target is $57.00, which is 4.03% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NASDAQ:MSFT) Similar Articles: Stock Update: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) – MICROSOFT IS UP 10%: Here’s what a one-point move in MSFT does to the Dow Market Update: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) – One Reason Microsoft (MSFT) Stock Closed Up Company Update: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) – Microsoft (MSFT) Stock Falls After Earnings Estimates Lowered at RBC Capital