Microsoft (MSFT) stock is back up over $500, up over 19% year-to-date. Analysts who were previously mixed earlier this year are raising their forecasts for the company’s stock. Currently trading at $506, MSFT is looking more bullish by the day and could eventually reach as high as $600.
Over the last several months, the developer behind Windows has been taking an AI-first initiative, even shedding jobs to automate tasks with artificial intelligence technology. Investors appear to think of these moves as positive and have sent their price projections for MSFT stock higher of late. Forecasts are being revised across Wall Street, projecting $525 as the next goal. Upon beating that though, many analysts see the stock climbing even higher.
Outlining Microsoft (MSFT)’s Path to $600
Microsoft (MSFT) has become an industry leader in enterprise software through Microsoft 365, its business applications, the Windows operating system, developer tools like GitHub, gaming software, and more. It is also a cloud computing giant through the Microsoft Azure platform and its associated products and services. Its AI initiative over the past year has leaked into all of these sectors as well, intriguing investors enough to buy into what Microsoft is selling.
Also Read: Microsoft (MSFT): Why Analysts Raised Their July Stock Forecast
Microsoft’s stock price growth has been outpacing its earnings growth. Investors have been willing to pay a higher price for the stock today because they are optimistic about its growth potential. As a result, Microsoft’s valuation metrics are relatively high compared to their historical averages. MSFT’s forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is nearly identical to its 10-year median P/E, which indicates bullish belieft amongst stock investors. Despite trading at a premium price, it is clear that Wall Street has its eyes set even higher for Microsoft’s future.
For Microsoft (MSFT) stock to reach $600 a share, stay above that level, and continue growing, the company must convert its capex into earnings growth. Furthermore, it must hold or grow its market share in cloud infrastructure, continue developing useful AI tools, and spearhead agentic AI. Currently, MSFT is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average. Compared to other Magnificent seven tech companies this year, Microsoft has shined. If it continues on its current AI-forward path, it could become the top cash cow on Wall Street and hit $600, beating out its Mag-7 competitors. Analysts at CNN appear to agree, anticipating MSFT stock to trade between $600 and $700 on average over the next 12 months.