Stockchase Opinions

Nick Mersch, CFA Microsoft Corp MSFT-Q TOP PICK Aug 21, 2025

The company he'd be owning 5 years from now. Partnership with OpenAI is most consequential company of our time. Totally ahead on AI. Absolute beast when it comes to distribution. Wide-reaching tentacles across every Fortune 500 company. Path of least resistance when it comes to adopting AI -- security platform, Office 365, Copilot powered by ChapGPT. Yield is 0.66%.

(Analysts’ price target is $624.70)
$505.245

Stock price when the opinion was issued

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HOLD

Darling of the Mag 7.

TOP PICK

Revenue is so consistent. Everything it does is recurring revenue. 18% revenue growth for one of the largest companies on the planet, best recurring revenue model ever built. On the leading edge of everything. Product suite is unbelievable. Stock buybacks. Might well be his favourite Mag 7. Yield is 0.63%.

(Analysts’ price target is $623.23)
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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

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)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 28/24, Up 30%)

12-month price target of $620. Hasn't trimmed, still second-largest holding in his fund. Earnings were very strong, especially coming out of the cloud. So many strong horses in the race. Very strong in AI participation.

Buy in thirds here, under $500, and ~$470.

TOP PICK

Are beating the other AI cloud companies, including Amazon. Their adoption of Co-pilot is ramping up. Well-managed. It remains good value at 34x PE. Is growing rapidly and consistently. We're in the early innings of AI.

(Analysts’ price target is $624.70)
HOLD

No concerns at all. Hold on. Perfect candidate to write some shorter-dated calls at 4-5% higher, but also sell some puts. This strategy will make you some income on both sides. If you get hit on the put, it's probably a pretty good buy.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 17/24, Up 17%)

A leader on many fronts. Return on data-centre capex is impressive. Not trading at an excessive multiple. Trades at a premium, but also growing at a premium.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

We reiterate the global computing workhorse as a TOP PICK.  With almost three-quarters of the world's desktops using their operating system one can understand how they command a 32% ROE.  Its investment into the AI space is paying dividends as cash flow continues to grow as debt is retired and shares bought back.  They have just re-worked their partnership with OpenAI (developer of ChatGPT) to include a for-profit agreement for their partner, which should ensure access to their technology for some time to come.  We continue to recommend a stop at $453, looking to achieve $625 -- upside potential of 22%.  Yield 0.6% 

(Analysts’ price target is $625.53)
HOLD

If offers the most diversified distribution of software technology around the world. Not really an AI company, but a distribution platform for the Fortune 5000. Not a compelling bargain today, more of a hold. You have to look long term for 5-10 years -- it will have a role to play, no matter which way the technology goes.