August 29, 2024
Top 10 Stock Microsoft Strong Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Microsoft – Top 10 Stock in Dow Jones Industrial Average
Microsoft is listed as a top 10 stock on August 29, 2024 in the market index Dow Jones because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 82 (top 82% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Microsoft on August 29, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | USA |
| Industry | Systems Software |
| Index | Dow Jones, Dividends USA, Diversity USA, Human Rights, Renewables Users, Recycling, NASDAQ 100, NASDAQ, S&P 500 |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Microsoft Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 47 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 59 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 66 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 91 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 82 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 82 (better than 82% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Microsoft are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Microsoft. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 59, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 59% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 66 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 66% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 91, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 91% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 47, meaning that the share price of Microsoft is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 53% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 82, Microsoft is better positioned than 82% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 59), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 66), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 91), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of Microsoft compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (59% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (41%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Microsoft very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Microsoft is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators where all but one are above average for Microsoft. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 95 (better than 95% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. The Professional Investors rank is also good at 83, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 83% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. In addition, Market Pulse has a rank of 80 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 80% of competitors). But Analyst Opinions Change has a below-average rank of 15, which means that stock research experts are currently changing their opinions for the worse when it comes to recommending this stock. In other words, they are getting more critical of investments in Microsoft. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 91 (more positive than 91% compared with investment alternatives), Microsoft has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. This is an early sign of caution, even if the stock has significantly appreciated. If analysts change their opinions, the stock may become too expensive. If the price is on the way down, the trend may continue. This may be a stock with a good reputation and history, but it may have reached its breaking point by now. Investors should look at the Value Ranks as well. If they indicate trouble, it might just materialize in the future. ...read more
Value Strategy: Microsoft Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 47 (worse than 53% compared with alternatives), Microsoft shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Microsoft. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 84% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 17 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 83% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Microsoft's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 47 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 53% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 42 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 58% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 47, is a hold recommendation based on Microsoft's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Microsoft? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Microsoft only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Microsoft Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 59 (better than 59% compared with alternatives), Microsoft shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Microsoft. Sales Growth has a rank of 71 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow more than 71% of its competitors. Stock Returns are also above average with a rank of 65. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 36, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 64% of its competitors. Profit Growth is also low, with a rank of only 39, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits below average. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 59, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. This is a surprising picture, as the messages from the operating growth indicators of revenues, profits, and invested capital are mixed, while stock returns are above average. It may indicate new intellectual properties, such as brand improvement or a strong market position that shows in revenues but not in the capital. The low profit-growth rate may indicate an early phase where costs are still high, and revenues don't fully cover upfront investments or fixed costs. The positive investor outlook with a 65% peer outperformance is reaffirmed in this case which may be a good sign for an investment into a well-protected high-growth company. This fact needs to be confirmed by researching the company website and press. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Microsoft Debt Financing Safety above-average
| SAFETY METRICS | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 46 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 23 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 89 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 66 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 66 (better than 66% compared with alternatives), the company Microsoft has financing practices on the safer side, which mean that their overall debt burden is lower than average. This doesn't mean that the business of Microsoft is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Microsoft. Liquidity is at 89, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 89% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 23, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 77% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 46, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 54% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 66 (better than 66% compared with alternatives), Microsoft has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. High Leverage (a low Obermatt Leverage Rank) is good in good times, because it usually indicates that shareholders get higher returns. The good Liquidity performance of the company is an indicator that this is the case. However, if you expect an economic downturn, you may stay clear of this stock because they have an above-average debt level that needs refinancing soon. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Microsoft Top Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | August 29, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 47 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 59 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 89 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 76 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 76 (better than 76% compared with investment alternatives), Microsoft (Systems Software, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of Microsoft are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 47 (worse than 53% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 59) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 66, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 76, is a strong buy recommendation based on Microsoft's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Microsoft exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 47), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 59). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 66) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). ...read more
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