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Cortland Associates Inc. MO Purchases 29 Shares of Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Cortland Associates Inc. MO Purchases 29 Shares of Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT)

  • 23.03.2025 15:17
  • etfdailynews.com
  • Keywords: AI, Startup

Cortland Associates Inc. MO increased its Microsoft holdings by purchasing 29 additional shares during the fourth quarter, boosting its position to 6,660 shares worth $2.8 million. Other institutional investors also raised their stakes in Microsoft, reflecting continued interest in the tech giant. The stock recently traded at $391.26, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating and a target price of $510.59.

Microsoft News

Estimated market influence

Cortland Associates Inc.

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Cortland Associates Inc. increased its holdings in Microsoft by 29 shares, indicating a positive sentiment towards the company.

WFA Asset Management Corp

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

WFA Asset Management Corp increased its holdings in Microsoft by 216 shares, showing confidence in the stock.

Ironwood Wealth Management LLC.

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. upped their position by 38 shares, reflecting a positive stance on Microsoft's performance.

AMF Tjanstepension AB

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

AMF Tjanstepension AB significantly increased its holdings in Microsoft by 49,735 shares, indicating strong confidence in the company's future.

Versant Capital Management Inc

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Versant Capital Management Inc. boosted their investment in Microsoft by 1,068 shares, signaling a positive outlook.

Ignite Planners LLC

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Ignite Planners LLC increased its holdings by 305 shares, showing a positive sentiment towards Microsoft's stock.

Context

Analysis of Cortland Associates Inc.'s Investment in Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Key Facts and Data Points

  • Cortland Associates Inc. MO increased its holdings in Microsoft by 29 shares, lifting its position by 0.4% during the fourth quarter.
  • The institutional investor now owns 6,660 shares, valued at $2,807,000, representing approximately 0.3% of its total holdings.
  • Microsoft is ranked as Cortland Associates Inc. MO’s 27th largest position.

Broader Investment Trends

  • Multiple institutional investors have increased their stakes in Microsoft:
    • WFA Asset Management Corp: Increased holdings by 27.0%, now owning 1,016 shares worth $427,000.
    • Ironwood Wealth Management LLC: Increased holdings by 0.3%, now owning 12,658 shares worth $5,658,000.
    • AMF Tjanstepension AB: Increased holdings by 1.8%, now owning 2,799,261 shares worth $1,204,664,000.
    • Versant Capital Management Inc: Increased holdings by 3.4%, now owning 32,471 shares worth $13,972,000.
    • Ignite Planners LLC: Increased holdings by 1.3%, now owning 24,002 shares worth $10,328,000.

Market Sentiment and Analyst Ratings

  • Microsoft currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average target price of $510.59.
  • Recent analyst actions:
    • Stifel Nicolaus: Reduced target price to $475.00, maintained a "buy" rating.
    • Mizuho: Reduced target price to $500.00, maintained an "outperform" rating.
    • Royal Bank of Canada: Reiterated "outperform" with a $500.00 target price.
    • Morgan Stanley: Reduced target price to $530.00, maintained an "overweight" rating.
    • Guggenheim: Reiterated a "neutral" rating.

Trading Performance and Financials

  • Microsoft shares opened at $391.26 on Friday, with a 1-year low of $376.91 and a 1-year high of $468.35.
  • The company has a market cap of $2.91 trillion, a PE ratio of 31.50, and a PEG ratio of 2.21.
  • Microsoft reported QPS earnings per share (EPS) of $3.23, beating estimates by $0.08.
  • The company has a net margin of 35.43% and a return on equity of 33.36%.

Dividend Information

  • Microsoft announced a quarterly dividend of $0.83, payable on June 12, 2024.
  • The annualized dividend is $3.32, with a dividend yield of 0.85%.
  • The payout ratio is 26.73%.

Company Overview

  • Microsoft operates in software, services, devices, and solutions globally.
  • Key segments include Productivity and Business Processes (e.g., Office Suite, Microsoft Teams) and Cloud Services (e.g., Azure).

Market Implications and Competitive Dynamics

  • The increased institutional ownership suggests confidence in Microsoft’s long-term growth potential.
  • Microsoft’s strong financial performance, including QPS EPS of $3.23, highlights its profitability and ability to generate returns.
  • The company’s dominance in the productivity software and cloud computing markets positions it as a key player in the tech industry.

Strategic Considerations

  • Investors may be betting on Microsoft’s ability to maintain its leadership in AI-driven products (e.g., Copilots) and enterprise cloud solutions.
  • The company’s consistent earnings growth and dividend payouts make it attractive to both institutional and retail investors.

Long-Term Effects and Regulatory Impact

  • While regulatory risks are minimal, Microsoft’s dominance in key markets could attract scrutiny. However, its compliance with global regulations remains a strength.
  • The long-term impact of increased institutional ownership may drive sustained demand for Microsoft shares, potentially influencing its stock price trends.

Conclusion

  • Cortland Associates Inc.’s investment and broader institutional activity reflect confidence in Microsoft’s financial health, market leadership, and innovation potential.