Microsoft CorpMSFTTOP PICKAug 07, 2025Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jul 16, 2026. Market Open.
Buy it, put it away for 10 years, do very well. Suffering from software outflows from large ETFs. Revenue still growing in teens, even better on EPS. Investing a lot in capacity (buy they can afford it), which customers have signed onto for the next several years. Trades at 20x PE, yet nothing's really changed.
Three durable growth engines: Azure, enterprise software, AI monetization. Key is that it keeps turning its installed base into higher-value subscriptions and usage-based revenue, while preserving margins and cash generation. Market's concerned that margins and cash will be pressured as Gen AI gets rolled out through competitors.
Azure remains the clearest growth driver. Key competitive advantage with enterprise software is that one stack bundles infrastructure, security, identity, and data/productivity tools. Raises costs to switch, which provides pricing power. Yield is 0.93%.
The lower MSFT gets, the more he likes it. The valuation keeps falling. He recently bought a position and would add to it now. If it holds, that's a very good technical signal. He loves MSFT, but consider that France will forbid the government using Microsoft Teams. That said, MSFT isn't going anywhere.
His preference is MSFT, and he'd buy today. Valuation is ~20x PE -- very fair valuation for business with good outlook for earnings growth for next 3-5 years. A bit more value than AMZN right now. Business model supports a better compounding over the long run, and generates significantly more FCF. Late to the AI race, and that's the reason for the selloff.
No issues with AMZN. Very well run, targeting new markets. You can't own all the tech companies, so you have to pick your spots.
One has to look past its high valuation as it trades at 38x earnings and 11x book, but with a ROE of 33% it demonstrates its dominance in the space. Recently reported earnings beat analysts estimates for revenues (by 4%) and EPS (by 9%). Cash reserves are growing, while shares are aggressively bought back and debt is retired. Management reports its strategy to cloud computing and AI are yielding good returns. We continue to recommend a stop at $453, looking to achieve $607 -- upside potential of 16%. Yield 0.6%
(Analysts’ price target is $606.61)