Earnings in Focus on Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) - Wagner Review

Using projections from 22 individual sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has a current quarter EPS consensus estimate of 1.21. Going back to the previous reporting period, the company posted a quarterly EPS of 1.14. As earnings season comes into focus, investors will be closely monitoring analyst estimates leading up to the report. Sell-side analysts often provide updates prior to and after the company reports. Following analyst revisions leading up to the earnings release may provide some good insight into the direction that the most recent estimates are trending. Investors will be watching to see which companies post the largest earnings beats or misses. Even if a company reports a large earnings beat or miss, there is still no guarantee that the stock will move as expected following the results. Many investors will choose to sit tight until after the post earnings volatility has subsided.

Often times, the stock market will be affected by political, social, or economic events. The result may be end up to be positive or negative. It is wise to remember that market fluctuations can happen at any time for many various reasons. Sometimes it may not be evident of why the market moved until long after the scene has played out. Making investment decisions in a turbulent climate may be extremely tricky. At some point, investors may find themselves on the wrong end of a trade. Staying vigilant in the markets may help investors bounce back after a temporary defeat. Investors who stay the course and stay with an investment plan may be able to better handle the ups and downs of daily market movements. Repeatedly trying to find the tops or bottoms is not an easy task. Even the most seasoned investors may not be able to successfully time the market.

Equity analysts will routinely provide stock price target projections. Many investors are highly interested in where the analysts view the stock heading in the future. Presently, analysts polled by Zacks Research have set a consensus target price of $138.29 on shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). Price target estimates can be calculated using different methods, and they may vary depending on the individual analyst. A thoroughly researched analyst report will typically provide detailed reasoning for a specific target price estimate. Some investors may track analyst targets very closely and use the data to complement their own stock analysis.

Watching stock price activity for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), we have spotted shares trading close to the 132.6 level. Investors will often monitor stock price levels relative to its 52-week high and low marks. The 52-week high is currently 132.6, and the 52-week low is presently 94.13. When a stock price is nearing the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may closely follow activity to watch for a breach. Over the past 12 weeks, shares have moved 12.78%. Moving back to the start of the year, we can see that shares have changed 30.55%. Zooming in to the past 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 7.5%. Over the last week, the stock has moved 10.65%.

Focusing in on analyst opinions, we note that the current average broker recommendation on shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is presently 1.14. The recommendation falls on a scale between 1 and 5. A broker rating of 1 would translate into a Strong Buy. A rating of 5 would indicate a Strong Sell recommendation. This consensus broker rating may help shed some light on how the sell-side is currently viewing company stock. Based on sell-side analysts polled by Zacks Research, 21 have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy.

Investors may be taking a closer look at holdings and trying to decide which way the stock market will lean in the second half of the year. Maybe there are some surprising winners, and the decision needs to be made to either sell for a profit or hold on for further potential gains. Maybe there are some losers that are being held onto with the hope of a rebound. Sometimes investors may get too emotionally attached to certain stocks. Keeping unbiased focus on the market may help provide the portfolio with an added boost. Nobody knows for sure what will transpire over the next few quarters. As earnings reports flow in, investors will be monitoring which companies provide the biggest surprises.

Let's block ads! (Why?)