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Microsoft (MSFT) Gains But Lags Market: What You Should Know

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In the latest trading session, Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) closed at $214.65, marking a +0.2% move from the previous day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.47%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.4%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.33%.

Coming into today, shares of the software maker had gained 5.77% in the past month. In that same time, the Computer and Technology sector gained 6.61%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.42%.

Wall Street will be looking for positivity from MSFT as it approaches its next earnings report date. This is expected to be October 27, 2020. On that day, MSFT is projected to report earnings of $1.53 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 10.87%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $35.67 billion, up 7.92% from the prior-year quarter.

For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $6.36 per share and revenue of $155.31 billion, which would represent changes of +10.42% and +8.6%, respectively, from the prior year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for MSFT should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.42% lower within the past month. MSFT is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Digging into valuation, MSFT currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 33.66. This represents a no noticeable deviation compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 33.66.

Investors should also note that MSFT has a PEG ratio of 2.69 right now. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. Computer - Software stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.69 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Computer - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 58, which puts it in the top 23% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank includes is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow MSFT in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.


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