Microsoft (MSFT) News Today

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) shares are trading higher, driven by fresh analyst upgrades, strategic partnerships, and new product launches that underscore the company’s AI and cloud leadership. Offsetting some of that optimism are consumer pushback on pricing moves and a legal ruling related to the Activision acquisition.

• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada reiterates its “buy” rating on MSFT with a $640 price target, implying roughly 24% upside from current levels. MarketScreener Latest Ratings
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raises its MSFT price target to $625, citing continued strength in cloud and AI revenue. Morgan Stanley Raises MSFT PT
• Positive Sentiment: Arete forecasts strong price appreciation for Microsoft stock, highlighting robust fundamentals and AI-driven growth. Arete Forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: A Mizuho analyst calls MSFT “free money,” arguing Wall Street has overreacted to hypothetical OpenAI losses in Azure. MarketWatch Free Money Article
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst at TipRanks highlights AI as an “unbelievable” growth catalyst for Microsoft’s cloud and software segments. TipRanks AI Catalyst
• Positive Sentiment: Microsoft inks a multi-billion-dollar Nebius deal to secure 100,000 Nvidia AI chips for Azure’s infrastructure. Yahoo! Nebius Deal
• Positive Sentiment: Announces integration of Anthropic AI models into its Copilot assistant, enhancing enterprise AI capabilities. Yahoo! Anthropic Integration
• Positive Sentiment: Launches Microsoft 365 Premium with built-in Copilot AI assistant, expanding its subscription revenue stream. MSN 365 Premium Launch
• Positive Sentiment: ReversingLabs joins the Microsoft Security Store partner ecosystem, strengthening Azure’s threat-intelligence offerings. GlobeNewswire Partner News
• Positive Sentiment: Working on an ad-supported free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming to widen user adoption and create new ad-revenue streams. TipRanks Xbox Ads
• Positive Sentiment: Expands clean-power commitments in Japan with Shizen Energy, securing 100 MW of long-term renewable energy for its data centers. Invezz Clean Power Deal
• Positive Sentiment: Announces availability of Ryght AI’s clinical research platform on Azure Marketplace, broadening Azure’s life-sciences ecosystem. InsiderMonkey Azure Listing
• Positive Sentiment: Promotion of a multi-CEO structure lets Satya Nadella refocus on AI strategy, according to Microsoft’s new Commercial Business CEO. Benzinga Leadership Reorg
• Neutral Sentiment: Debate continues on whether AI spending is in a bubble or just the start of a long-term capex super-cycle, which could influence cloud demand growth. Proactive AI Bubble vs Super-Cycle
• Neutral Sentiment: Options traders recommend shorting near-term puts and buying long-dated calls on MSFT as an attractive way to express bullish sentiment. TalkMarkets Options Strategy
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to raise price targets for MSFT ahead of earnings, reflecting confidence in Q4 guidance. Barchart Price Targets
• Negative Sentiment: A Delaware judge rules that former Activision Blizzard officials must face shareholder claims over the $75.4 billion takeover, potentially drawing out litigation costs. Reuters Activision Ruling
• Negative Sentiment: Xbox Game Pass price hikes for top-tier plans spark consumer backlash, with reports of cancellations and “subscription stacking.” BBC Game Pass Backlash
• Negative Sentiment: Microsoft stock dips over concerns about Copilot’s monetization and integration challenges. TipRanks Copilot Concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Indian ministers promote domestic alternatives to Microsoft apps amid geopolitical tensions, potentially impacting growth in the country’s large market. Reuters India App Push