Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) had its target price increased by analysts at Nomura from $102.00 to $105.00 in a report issued on Friday. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the software giant’s stock. Nomura’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 14.40% from the company’s previous close.
Several other research analysts have also commented on MSFT. UBS Group set a $110.00 price target on shares of Microsoft and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Morningstar set a $106.00 price target on shares of Microsoft and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday. Macquarie set a $95.00 price target on shares of Microsoft and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Co set a $105.00 price target on shares of Microsoft and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $110.00 price target on shares of Microsoft and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and thirty have issued a buy rating to the stock. Microsoft has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $98.52.
Microsoft (MSFT) traded down $2.48 on Friday, hitting $91.78. 47,870,000 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 25,160,000. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 3.12 and a quick ratio of 3.06. Microsoft has a twelve month low of $62.75 and a twelve month high of $96.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $708,050.00, a PE ratio of 62.44, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.06.
In related news, insider Frank H. Brod sold 18,000 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.15, for a total value of $1,496,700.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher C. Capossela sold 4,000 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.48, for a total transaction of $333,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 185,278 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,467,007.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 30,000 shares of company stock valued at $2,498,220. Insiders own 1.49% of the company’s stock.
Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 40.7% in the second quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 20,852 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $1,437,000 after purchasing an additional 6,030 shares during the period. Arvest Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 6.9% during the second quarter. Arvest Bank Trust Division now owns 9,374 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $646,000 after acquiring an additional 608 shares during the period. Peachtree Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 0.6% during the second quarter. Peachtree Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 49,704 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $3,426,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Hills Bank & Trust Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 1.8% during the second quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co. now owns 69,800 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $4,811,000 after acquiring an additional 1,244 shares during the period. Finally, Trust Department MB Financial Bank N A boosted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 0.7% during the second quarter. Trust Department MB Financial Bank N A now owns 28,237 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $1,947,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.26% of the company’s stock.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is a technology company. The Company develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products, services and devices. The Company’s segments include Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud and More Personal Computing. The Company’s products include operating systems; cross-device productivity applications; server applications; business solution applications; desktop and server management tools; software development tools; video games, and training and certification of computer system integrators and developers.
