On Tuesday, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares soared 4%, reaching its highest price in 14 years! Later in March, the company will be holding a press conference where, it is rumored, that the company will unveil Office for the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad. Since CEO Steve Ballmer’s retirement announcement last August, incoming CEO Satya Nadella has been leading the corporate software unit with success. And now that he has assumed his role as CEO last month, it seems as though Nadella has been successfully guiding the company’s recent achievements.
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Microsoft Corporation MSFT
Following these announcements, Raymond James analyst Michael Turits recommended HOLD Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) with a positive outlook. Michael believes “that Office for iPad would be one of several positive actions to move Microsoft away from its ‘Windows first’ mindset of the past.” Michael only sees upside, “with Microsoft now able to monetize high-margin Office software across the iPad base independent of the Windows OS.
While Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has bounced between $20 and $40 over the past years, Michael has stood by, recommending Microsoft accordingly with a 66% success rate of MSFT recommendations. Michael has also successfully recommended software company Red Hat Inc (NYSE:RHT) and BlackBerry (BBRY), helping him earn a 6.8% average return over S&P-500 and an 67% overall success rate of recommendations.
Michael recommended BUY Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in January of 2013, despite weaker PC shipments affecting the Windows and Microsoft Business divisions. Michael raised his revenue forecast on Microsoft to $21.3 billion, “due to anticipated contribution of $525 million in sales from the Surface tablet in the quarter.” Michael also said he “remains upbeat about Microsoft’s Windows 8 strategy” adding, “We expect the acid test to come in the second half of 2013 with improved [manufacturers’] hardware and distribution, and increasing value of both the enterprise and home ecosystem.” This recommendation earned Michael +9.7% over S&P-500.
A year earlier, Michael also recommended BUY MSFT with a $34 price target. Michael argued, “the key for the stock is the ability of the upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS) to move Microsoft beyond the PC into tablets and mobile devices…While this secular bet will not be settled for some time, MSFT should get a cyclical boost late this year with the Windows 8 launch, expansion in the ARM- and Intel-based tablet markets, Office and Server product line refreshes, and a potential macro recovery and cyclical rebound in PCs.” Michael ended up earning +3.9% over S&P-500.
Michael has experienced one loss of -7.3% from a BUY MSFT recommendation he made at the end of 2012. But, since this recommendation, Michael has earned positive returns from recommendations of Red Hat and Blackberry Ltd. (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB). Michael said BUY RHT in December of 2013 noting, “a steeper trajectory of billings growth this year than [he] had expected,” earning him +1.5% over S&P-500. And Michael also recommended BUY Blackberry Ltd. (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) at the same time, earning +24.1% over S&P-500.
Microsoft has finally reached its height again, and Michael is taking advantage of the company’s current success recommending HOLD Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). To continue following Michael’s recommendations as MSFT unveils its latest plans, download TipRanks, and start making informed decisions with advice you can trust.
