Stock Update (NASDAQ:MSFT): Behind Microsoft’s Shift to Cloud Technology

[at Investopedia] – Learn about the challenges and competition Microsoft faces as it transitions from a traditional software company to a cloud software provider. Read more on this. Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) , with a current value of $406.82B, started the session at $51.28. A quick look at the market, the company’s stock traded between $51.16 and $52.06 with a one year range of $39.72 to $56.85. MSFT shares are currently priced at 19.10x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 2.21x earnings multiple. The company pays shareholders $1.44 per share in dividend income per year, for a current yield of 2.88%. According to a consensus of 29 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.58 per share would be $0.02 worse than the year-ago quarter and a $0.09 sequential decrease. Investors should also note that the full-year EPS estimate of $2.67 is a $0.21 improvement when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $22.17 Billion. If reported, that would be a 0.05% decrease over the year-ago quarter. More recently, Macquarie Initiated MSFT at Neutral (Mar 4, 2016). Previously, Morgan Stanley upgraded MSFT from Equal-Weight to Overweight. The average price target for MSFT shares is $57.76, which is 12.64% above where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NASDAQ:MSFT) Similar Articles: Company Update (NASDAQ:MSFT): Arrow Electronics Speed Up Hybrid Cloud Growth With Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Stock Update: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) – Microsoft Stock Still a Buy on Cloud Momentum (MSFT) Company Update (NASDAQ:MSFT): Other than cloud, look for this on MSFT earnings