Hide

FocusBar

FeedbackFeedback
Subscribe to Premium Member
Free 7-day Trial
All Articles and Columns »

Microsoft: Off to the Races

January 06, 2012 | About: MSFT +0%
Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size PrintPrint EmailEmail
The Science of Hitting

The Science of Hitting

123 followers
Value investors have been pounding the table on Microsoft (MSFT) for quite a while now. In 2011, the highlight was when value investor David Einhorn, at the Ira Sohn Conference in May, called for for Steve Ballmer to be ousted as CEO at Microsoft. Yet despite a lot of talk about tablets, the cloud and the future of Windows, the overall result was another disappointing year for Microsoft’s stock price: In 2011, it fell roughly 7%, compared to a flat market for the S&P and a 5.5% gain for the Dow.

2012, on the other hand, has started off with a bang, and brought some long-awaited stock price appreciation for patient investors. In the first week of the New Year, the S&P and Dow gained 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively, compared to a jump of more than 8% in MSFT.

One possible explanation is a change in analyst perception, with Credit Suisse issuing a report with a positive outlook for the future of Microsoft’s partnership in mobile with Nokia. "We fundamentally believe that Nokia's focus on Windows will allow [Nokia] to drive a recovery through 2012 in both its top-line and earnings," Credit Suisse wireless analyst Kulbinder Garcha wrote in a note to clients, including an upgrade for Nokia. As expected, Nokia & Microsoft have plans to invest significant amounts of cash in promoting the new phones ($200 million), with payments to sales rep expected to start mitigating the promotion of Android and Apple products.

With 2012 upon us, the catalysts for appreciation in Microsoft’s share price are abundant: the release of Windows 8, the potential to gain share in mobile, the continue drive in Bing share gains, and the possible retirement of Steve Ballmer after the release of Windows 8 (as has been rumored); for Microsoft investors, the first week of trading was hopefully just a preview of a successful year ahead.

About the author:

I'm a value investor, with a focus on patience; my sweet spot is great companies that are suffering from short term issues, and load up when those opportunities become present.

Tickers in the article:

A Screener Endorsed by Warren Buffett without Knowing

In a recent interview Warren Buffett mentioned three companies that he finds attractive. Out of the three companies he mentioned, two of them are listed in GuruFocus’ Buffett-Munger screener. Buffett-Munger Screener looks for high quality companies that are traded at fair prices, the kind of companies that Buffett buys and hold forever. The Model Portfolio of Buffett-Munger Screener has outperformed the market year-over-year. It is just one of the features provided with GuruFocus Premium Membership.

Click Here to Try It Free!


Rating: 3.7/5 (23 votes)

Email FeedsSubscribe via Email RSS FeedsSubscribe RSS

Comments

jaumepared
Jaumepared premium member - 1 year ago
Value Investors like MSFT because of huge amounts of free cash flow. Conversely, we are wary because of the limited success they have had deploying in areas other than than Windows and Office.
Those legacy apps can be milked for decades. The real question is whether Balmer can maintain the dominance of both of those and create even one more mega success. BING ain't it. Gaming may be it. BING and telephony are surround sound defensive measures.
Why not shed break even and losers and re-deploy cash for shareholders.
The Science of Hitting
The Science of Hitting premium member - 1 year ago
Jaumepared,

I certainly agree with you; I'm still in the camp of issuing huge amounts of debt (as Whitney Tilson noted in a CNBC interview, this company does NOT need $50B+ in net cash based on their consistent CF generation) and buying back stock by the billions. Intel, for example, bought back $10B in stock year to date, by issuing debt at a rate of less than HALF their current dividend payout; why Mr. Klein (CFO at Microsoft) isn't pushing Ballmer to do the same at MSFT is unknown...

As for Bing, mobile, gaming, etc, we shall see what happens... thanks for the comment.
steven149
Steven149 - 1 year ago
I don't think telephony and BING won't help MSFT. High up at MSFT understand, I think, they won't have the efficiency and talents to develop another generation of cash cows like Windows and Office (Paul Allan's book as a reference). But they really want to get into mobile computing business to compete with Apple and Google. That is why they bought Skype (I think it is overpriced though) and support Nokia's smart phone software. Skype can be a game changer if combined with Nokia's software. The combination may grab a huge chunk of market share from current wireless carriers as well as mobile computing as a general. Once this strategy is on track, BING is the second wave attack on mobile computing's searching business. I think the game is just on. This is my interpretation of their series of acquisition strategy and I think it will work conditionally. The potential problem is execution. They need strong hands to steer the ship.

On the other hand, I think gaming has saturated. It is one of the current cash generator. But , no, it won't be the next cash cow.

Please leave your comment:


More Gurufocus Links

GuruFocus Affiliate Program: Earn up to $400 per referral. ( Learn More)
Get WordPress Plugins for easy affiliate links on Stock Tickers and Guru Names
Free 7-day Trial
FEEDBACK

This article has been successfully added into your Bookmark.

Members Only. Please Sign Up or Log In first.

Bookmark of this article has been deleted.