October 12, 2023
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 Dividend Champions United States
Microsoft is listed as a top 10 stock on October 12, 2023 in the market index Dividends USA 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 92 (top 92% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Microsoft on October 12, 2023.
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 | October 12, 2023 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 37 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 55 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 89 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 100 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 92 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 92 (better than 92% compared with alternatives) for 2023, 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 55, 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 55% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 89 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 89% 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 100, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 100% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 37, 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 63% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 92, Microsoft is better positioned than 92% 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 55), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 89), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 100), 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 (55% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (45%). 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 100 (better than 100% compared with alternatives) for 2023, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Microsoft is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Microsoft. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 89 (better than 89% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 53, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Microsoft. The Professional Investors rank is 84, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 84% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 87 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 87% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 100 (more positive than 100% compared with investment alternatives), Microsoft has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Microsoft stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: Microsoft Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 37 (worse than 63% 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 80% 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 5 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 95% 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 49 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 51% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 26 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 74% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 37, 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 55 (better than 55% 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 63 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow more than 63% of its competitors. Stock Returns are also above average with a rank of 77. But Capital Growth has only a rank of 35, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital less than 65% of its competitors. Profit Growth is also low, with a rank of only 33, 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 55, 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 77% 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 very solid
| SAFETY METRICS | October 12, 2023 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 56 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 35 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 92 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 89 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 89 (better than 89% compared with alternatives) for 2023, the company Microsoft has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. 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 two out of three indicators above average for Microsoft. Leverage is at a rank of 56, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 56% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 92, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 92% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 35, 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 65% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 89 (better than 89% compared with alternatives), Microsoft has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Microsoft. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Microsoft Above-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | October 12, 2023 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 37 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 55 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 92 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 71 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 71 (better than 71% compared with investment alternatives), Microsoft (Systems Software, USA) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Microsoft are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 37 (worse than 63% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 55) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 89, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 71, is a 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 37), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 55). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 89) 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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