Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Trading Down 0.6% – Time to Sell?

28 Apr 2025, 14:12 by Jessica Moore · The Cerbat Gem

Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) shares were down 0.6% on Monday . The company traded as low as $387.65 and last traded at $389.51. Approximately 4,283,123 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 21,102,800 shares. The stock had previously closed at $391.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on MSFT. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Microsoft from $515.00 to $475.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 7th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Microsoft from $510.00 to $480.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Microsoft from $475.00 to $430.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $475.00 target price (down previously from $500.00) on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. They set a “sector outperform” rating and a $470.00 price target on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $493.89.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Microsoft

Microsoft Stock Performance

The business’s 50-day moving average is $384.93 and its 200-day moving average is $411.34. The company has a market capitalization of $2.90 trillion, a PE ratio of 31.38, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.35.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The software giant reported $3.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.08. Microsoft had a return on equity of 33.36% and a net margin of 35.43%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.93 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Microsoft Co. will post 13.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Microsoft Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.85%. Microsoft’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.73%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Newton One Investments LLC grew its position in Microsoft by 66.7% during the first quarter. Newton One Investments LLC now owns 75 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the period. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Microsoft in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Microsoft during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. IFS Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Microsoft by 53.8% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the fourth quarter worth $44,000. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company’s stock.

Microsoft Company Profile

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