Always happy to address your concerns:
Microsoft's Monopoly Keeps Firm Sprinting as Rivals Plod
Even as rival technology firms are stuck in the mud, Microsoft is in full gear these days, boasting solid sales numbers and unveiling plans for massive new investments. In a recent presentation for analysts and others, for instance, company Group Vice President Jim Allchin flashed a telling visual: a colorful bar graph showing that Microsoft managed to boost sales of its desktop Windows products by 16% last year, while world-wide shipments of personal computers slipped 4%.
...Still, the amount of cash being thrown off by Microsoft's core Windows and Office software businesses remains amazing, particularly as many of its competitors grapple with big losses and layoffs.
...Given that, Microsoft shares look like a pretty good buy, Mr. Chang figures. He says he wishes he had bought some last month when they were trading at just under $43 each. Wednesday, Microsoft was at $47.09, up $1.42, in 4 p.m. Nasdaq Stock Market trading. "My feeling is, the stock will move higher," Mr. Chang says.
...Though Microsoft's stock is down 29% since this same time last year, Mr. Severs notes, the S&P Tech Index is down 44% and a related index of software stocks has dropped 38%. "They're just a powerhouse," he says of Microsoft. "They're growing and no one else is."
online.wsj.com |
