Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is Moran Wealth Management LLC's 5th Largest Position

Key Points

• Moran Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Microsoft by 3.6% during the first quarter, making it the 5th largest position in their portfolio, valued at approximately $41.4 million.
• Microsoft's recent earnings report showed an EPS of $3.65, exceeding analysts' expectations, with a revenue of $76.44 billion, representing an 18.1% increase compared to the same quarter last year.
• A number of Wall Street analysts have issued optimistic ratings for Microsoft, with several raising their price targets significantly, indicating a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $609.86.

Moran Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 3.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 110,305 shares of the software giant's stock after buying an additional 3,789 shares during the quarter. Microsoft accounts for about 1.4% of Moran Wealth Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Moran Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Microsoft were worth $41,407,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Newton One Investments LLC grew its position in Microsoft by 66.7% in the first quarter. Newton One Investments LLC now owns 75 shares of the software giant's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Microsoft in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. LSV Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Microsoft in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Microsoft by 50.0% in the first quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 150 shares of the software giant's stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the 4th quarter worth $62,000. 71.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Takeshi Numoto sold 3,000 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $463.00, for a total transaction of $1,389,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,930 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,339,590. This trade represents a 6.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 21,500 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $453.77, for a total transaction of $9,756,055.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 134,888 shares of the company's stock, valued at $61,208,127.76. The trade was a 13.75% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 54,743 shares of company stock worth $24,921,913. Insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

Microsoft Stock Up 0.0%

MSFT stock traded up $0.19 on Thursday, reaching $525.13. 2,338,413 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,295,482. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $494.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $437.01. The company has a market cap of $3.90 trillion, a P/E ratio of 38.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.06. Microsoft Corporation has a one year low of $344.79 and a one year high of $555.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.35.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The software giant reported $3.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.35 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $76.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $73.79 billion. Microsoft had a return on equity of 32.44% and a net margin of 36.15%. Microsoft's revenue was up 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.95 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Microsoft Corporation will post 13.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Microsoft Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Microsoft's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.34%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MSFT has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Westpark Capital restated a "hold" rating on shares of Microsoft in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Microsoft from $600.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Microsoft from $600.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Microsoft from $540.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, DA Davidson increased their target price on Microsoft from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirty-one have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Microsoft has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $609.86.

Microsoft Profile

Microsoft Corporation develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions worldwide. The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers office, exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft viva, and Microsoft 365 copilot; and office consumer services, such as Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, Office licensed on-premises, and other office services.