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Globe and Mail
08-08-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Microsoft Stock Gains as Analysts Boost Price Targets
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) delivered an earnings report that can be considered a blowout, even for a mega-cap company with high expectations. Microsoft beat on revenue and earnings and reiterated its guidance for data center spending for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year. Analysts have taken notice. The Microsoft analyst forecasts on MarketBeat show that nearly two dozen analysts have either reiterated or raised their price target for MSFT stock. Many of the new targets are above the consensus price of $609.86, which is a 15% gain from the stock's price on August 6. Why Buying the Best Still Matters August is a tricky month for investors. Apart from a few names like NVIDIA, the major technology stocks have already reported. The economy continues to give off conflicting signals, and Congress is out on recess, which generally leads to a less active market. This is a good reminder of why buying the best matters. In the tech sector, that means Microsoft. The company's stock has been up about 2.8% since the earnings report, but that's down from the 5% gain it had before a slight pullback this week. Earnings Drive Stock Price Growth Earnings reports provide a snapshot of a company's performance. However, the headline numbers are lagging indicators. In other words, they tell what's happened in the past. What a company has to say about the current and future quarters can drive up a stock price. For a mega-cap company like Microsoft, that usually comes down to its earnings outlook. Analysts project Microsoft to post 12.3% earnings growth in the next 12 months. That compares favorably to another mega-cap hyperscaler, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META), which analysts project to post 13.15% earnings growth. That aligns with the company's guidance for ' double-digit earnings growth on a constant currency basis.' However, it also means that analysts are slightly more bullish about earnings expectations for Microsoft, which largely explains the outlook for 15% stock price growth. Leading the AI Revolution Microsoft emphasized that its projected future growth will be driven by continued investment in AI and cloud infrastructure, improving operating leverage, and disciplined expense management. That aligns with Dan Ives' sentiment. The Wedbush analyst continues to be bullish on the tech sector, specifically the Magnificent Seven stocks that will lead the AI revolution. Ives and his team believe that the market is not fully appreciating the amount of spending that will be needed over the next three years. Wedbush lists Microsoft, Meta Platforms, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Palantir as its top five tech stocks for the second half of 2025. That bullish outlook comes with a price target of $625, up from $600. However, Wedbush isn't the most bullish on MSFT stock. That would be Brent Thill from Jefferies Financial Group. The analyst raised his price target for Microsoft to $675 from $600. A Cautious Chart That Still Has Momentum MSFT stock continues to be in a sustained uptrend. The 20-day simple moving average (SMA), currently around $513.61, is serving as a reliable short-term support level. Price action remains above the 20-day SMA and within the upper range of the Bollinger Bands, signaling strength and proximity to potential overbought conditions. The MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) shows a slight bullish crossover, with the MACD line (10.45) above the signal line (9.94), suggesting upward momentum could continue. However, there may be limited strength behind the move. One reason is the relative strength indicator (RSI), which, at 64, suggests that MSFT is approaching overbought territory. However, there may still be room for modest upside before a possible pullback or consolidation. Another potential short-term concern is lighter volume after the post-earnings surge. That's not a bearish signal but could signal that momentum is slowing. Where Should You Invest $1,000 Right Now? Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list. They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now...
Time Out
07-08-2025
- Time Out
Three upstate towns were named the best budget vacation spots in the country
We're now in that time of year when it feels like we may never feel cold again, but this is the home stretch! And what better way to suffer through air quality alerts and triple-digit temperatures than with a little armchair travel and/or vacation planning for when the weather finally cools? That's right, we're talking about fall foliage season day trips. This year is even more exciting than usual, because MarketBeat just announced its list of the best "bougie on a budget" vacation spots, and New York has three locales listed in the top 10. (Coming in at No. 2 is Kaunakakai, Hawaii, so we're guessing airfare doesn't get included.) Sitting pretty at No. 3 is New York's own Cold Spring, which has the added benefit of being served by Metro-North's Hudson line. A vacation that doesn't require a rental car? An autumnal delight! As MarketBeat writes: "Just an hour from NYC, this Hudson River village is full of antique shops, art galleries, and stylish cafés — all nestled between leafy mountains and the water's edge. Hike Breakneck Ridge, then reward yourself with rosé on a patio." But as the outlet points out, the list isn't about traveling on a shoestring budget. These are all destinations that are redefining what luxury means. The price point might be lower, but that doesn't necessarily mean the thread count is, too. Elsewhere in the Empire State, Saranac Lake clocks in at No. 6 ("Adirondack charm without Olympic crowds or prices"), while Hammondsport makes the top 50 at No. 43. The tri-state area also took another spot in the top 10 with fifth-place finisher Cape May, New Jersey: "Skip the bustle of Cape May proper and head a mile west to the Point. It's quieter, wilder, and full of dunes, shorebirds, and Victorian rentals tucked into quiet streets. Ride bikes, read on the porch, and enjoy the beach without the boardwalk noise," the ranking reads. The top spot went to the charming Colorado spot, Twin Lakes. And while small towns abounded, major cities were notably absent from the list. Turns out, bougie on a budget is a lot easier to achieve the further away you get from an airport. The MarketBeat ranking comes courtesy of 3,011 travel professionals, all of whom voted via an online survey. Click here for the full list.
Economic Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Could Disney stock surge? Analysts raise price targets after strong earnings
Disney is experiencing a surge of analyst optimism, with firms like Guggenheim and Rosenblatt setting price targets as high as $140. This bullish outlook follows Disney's strong earnings report for the quarter ending May 7, exceeding expectations with $1.45 earnings per share and $23.62 billion in revenue. The average analyst price target now stands at $124. FILE PHOTO: A screen shows the logo and a ticker symbol for The Walt Disney Company on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Wall Street Is Getting Bullish on Disney Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Disney's Strong Earnings Spark Optimism FAQs Walt Disney is attracting growing attention from analysts, as several major firms have recently raised their price targets for the entertainment giant, signalling increased confidence in the company's performance and future prospects, as per a the global investment and advisory financial services firm Guggenheim upped its price target for Disney's shares to $140 from $120, as per a report by Benzinga. Guggenheim's analysts have currently rated the entertainment giant's stock as "buy", and the investment firm's target price indicates a potential increase of 15% from the company's previous close, according to a report by Market was among the first to adjust its outlook, raising its price target from $115 to $120 and assigning an 'overweight' rating in a May 8 report, as per Market Beat. That same day, Morgan Stanley echoed the sentiment, also lifting its target from $110 to $120 with an 'overweight' rating, according to the READ: What can fans expect from the new Sonic the Hedgehog and Magic: The Gathering collaboration? UBS Group followed suit, boosting its target price from $105 to $120 and issuing a 'buy' rating, while Loop Capital went a step further, upping its estimate from $125 to $130 in a June 10 report and maintaining a 'buy' rating, according to the Market Beat Securities also weighed in, increasing its target from $135 to $140 on June 3 and giving Disney a 'buy' rating, which matches Guggenheim's latest move to the same $140 target, as per the Market Beat the broader analyst consensus paints a fairly optimistic picture, and according to the data compiled by Market Beat, six analysts currently rate Disney a 'hold,' while 17 say 'buy,' and two have gone as far as to label it a 'strong buy' for Disney stock, as per the report. As per Market Beat's analysis, the average price target across all firms now sits at $124.79 and has an average rating of "Moderate Buy", suggesting analysts see more upside ahead for Disney stock, according to the READ: UVA's Jim Ryan resigns under DOJ heat — who is the University of Virginia president at the center of the storm? The increase in price target comes after Walt Disney posted better-than-expected earnings for the quarter ending May 7, giving investors more confidence in the company, as per the Market Beat posted $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, above the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.24, according to the report. The entertainment giant also reported a revenue of $23.62 billion for the quarter, which beat analysts' expectations of $23.15 billion, as reported by Market Beat. Equities research analysts have predicted that Walt Disney will report 5.47 earnings per share for the current year, according to the Market Beat READ: Pornhub, XNXX in panic? US Supreme Court ruling lets states crack down on online adult content access Guggenheim and Rosenblatt both set it at $ currently sits at $124.79, according to MarketBeat.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Could Disney stock surge? Analysts raise price targets after strong earnings
Wall Street Is Getting Bullish on Disney Live Events Disney's Strong Earnings Spark Optimism FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Walt Disney is attracting growing attention from analysts, as several major firms have recently raised their price targets for the entertainment giant, signalling increased confidence in the company's performance and future prospects, as per a the global investment and advisory financial services firm Guggenheim upped its price target for Disney's shares to $140 from $120, as per a report by Benzinga. Guggenheim's analysts have currently rated the entertainment giant's stock as "buy", and the investment firm's target price indicates a potential increase of 15% from the company's previous close, according to a report by Market was among the first to adjust its outlook, raising its price target from $115 to $120 and assigning an 'overweight' rating in a May 8 report, as per Market Beat. That same day, Morgan Stanley echoed the sentiment, also lifting its target from $110 to $120 with an 'overweight' rating, according to the READ: What can fans expect from the new Sonic the Hedgehog and Magic: The Gathering collaboration? UBS Group followed suit, boosting its target price from $105 to $120 and issuing a 'buy' rating, while Loop Capital went a step further, upping its estimate from $125 to $130 in a June 10 report and maintaining a 'buy' rating, according to the Market Beat Securities also weighed in, increasing its target from $135 to $140 on June 3 and giving Disney a 'buy' rating, which matches Guggenheim's latest move to the same $140 target, as per the Market Beat the broader analyst consensus paints a fairly optimistic picture, and according to the data compiled by Market Beat, six analysts currently rate Disney a 'hold,' while 17 say 'buy,' and two have gone as far as to label it a 'strong buy' for Disney stock, as per the report. As per Market Beat's analysis, the average price target across all firms now sits at $124.79 and has an average rating of "Moderate Buy", suggesting analysts see more upside ahead for Disney stock, according to the READ: UVA's Jim Ryan resigns under DOJ heat — who is the University of Virginia president at the center of the storm? The increase in price target comes after Walt Disney posted better-than-expected earnings for the quarter ending May 7, giving investors more confidence in the company, as per the Market Beat posted $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, above the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.24, according to the report. The entertainment giant also reported a revenue of $23.62 billion for the quarter, which beat analysts' expectations of $23.15 billion, as reported by Market Beat. Equities research analysts have predicted that Walt Disney will report 5.47 earnings per share for the current year, according to the Market Beat READ: Pornhub, XNXX in panic? US Supreme Court ruling lets states crack down on online adult content access Guggenheim and Rosenblatt both set it at $ currently sits at $124.79, according to MarketBeat.
Entrepreneur
06-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Market's Silent Warning: What Bonds and Gold Reveal
Price action in different asset classes might be sending a warning to the stock market, threatening to compress its current valuations. This story originally appeared on MarketBeat The stock market is now faster and more aggressive than ever before, which is both good and bad. Because there are now more participants than in previous years and decades, every move and situation is assimilated faster due to the sheer volume of capital and information distribution, leading to opportunities and risks that weren't present for the previous generation of traders and investors. Spotting some of these dangers is key for these investors to avoid unnecessary losses and setbacks in their portfolios and wealth creation. Today's market activity has created a warning that no one with any kind of exposure to financial markets should ignore. This reasoning is connected to fundamentals and expected behavior in a risk-off environment. For this to work, investors will have to understand how to connect the dots between the price action in the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ: TLT) and other asset classes that are considered "safe" or attractive for institutional investors when the risks in the future stack up to be too high, such as the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA: GLD) in the commodities space. As investors will see, both of these names are now creating a significant headwind for the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA: SPY). What Bonds Represent: The Most Important Indicator [content-module:CompanyOverview|NASDAQ:TLT] One of the most important drivers of any economy is money itself, its excess or lack thereof, its expensiveness or cheapness. When it comes to bonds, investors have access to a live quote of the current market value through the yield these instruments offer. Looking at the price action in the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, investors can note a decline of 7.4% over the past 12 months, underperforming the S&P 500 index significantly, but that's not the most important thing. Bond prices move inversely to their yields. Therefore, this ETF yields up to 4.4%, and here's what that means. This yield is a proxy for the cost of money today and, therefore, a proxy for how hard it can be for businesses to deliver on future growth. This yield tells everyone that money has become significantly more expensive than it was just three years ago. The fact that money is now more expensive has had an impact on the American consumer, as companies in the consumer discretionary sector have already shown signs of weakness, as consumers now see their budgets tightening and credit becoming less accessible. Recent examples are Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) and The Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP), stocks that have dropped by double-digit percentage points during their latest quarterly earnings reports. Gold's Performance Signals Appetite For Safety [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSEARCA:GLD] Historically, gold has been regarded as the best inflation and volatility hedge in the markets due to its limited supply, which not only helps mitigate the printing of fiat currency but also provides a more straightforward pricing mechanism during volatile markets like today's. With ongoing trade tariff negotiations between the United States and other nations, investors perceive too much risk in American bonds and currency, and the same applies to other international assets as well. Therefore, the only sensible approach is to go "risk off" and invest in a commodity like gold. That theme might explain the 42% rally that the SPDR Gold Shares gold ETF has delivered in just 12 months, signaling an apparent rotation and preference for the benefits that gold can offer during volatile and uncertain markets, such as the one most are experiencing today. Of course, all of this behavior, in bonds and gold, will eventually affect the S&P 500 and its current valuation. It All Comes Down to Stocks Understanding that more expensive money, as seen in bonds, will likely become a headwind in future earnings, valuations in the S&P 500 would have to be adjusted inevitably to reflect this fact. Knowing that this fact occurs in every cycle, investors have been flocking to gold instead, but here's what really matters. During the so-called "Liberation Day" of April 2025, when President Trump announced the tariffs to be implemented in the economy, the S&P 500 breached a 20% decline from its 52-week high, throwing it into an official bear market. Since then, the price has recovered in record time. However, price, along with volume, has now stalled just shy of its all-time high, meaning that confidence and momentum have not been enough to finalize this upside move. This effectively reflects the recent price action in gold driven by fears caused by bonds. Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list. They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now... See The Five Stocks Here
