Here's Why Microsoft Stock Is a Buy (and Why It Isn't)

Source The Motley Fool

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is starting to show measurable returns from its enormous AI build-out, with Azure demand remaining strong and Copilot adoption expanding. The next test is harder: whether rising utilization and improving efficiency can overcome massive capital spending, margin pressure, and weaker free cash flow to create a durable earnings engine.

Stock prices used were the market prices of Sept. 24, 2026. The video was published on Oct. 9, 2026.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

Should you buy stock in Microsoft right now?

Before you buy stock in Microsoft, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Microsoft wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $379,123!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,408,822!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 950% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 215% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of October 10, 2026.

Rick Orford has positions in Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Hurricane Isaias has shut in a quarter of Gulf oil output — can WTI clear $92 before Thursday's EIA report?WTI trades at $90.80 after rebounding roughly 3% from Wednesday's $87.96 low as Hurricane Isaias — the Atlantic season's first — forces producers to shut in about 25% of US Gulf of Mexico output. Brent holds at $103.41. The first official read on the disruption arrives with the EIA weekly petroleum report on Thursday 15 October — here are the key levels and both scenarios.
Author  Irene Q.
Oct 09, Fri
WTI trades at $90.80 after rebounding roughly 3% from Wednesday's $87.96 low as Hurricane Isaias — the Atlantic season's first — forces producers to shut in about 25% of US Gulf of Mexico output. Brent holds at $103.41. The first official read on the disruption arrives with the EIA weekly petroleum report on Thursday 15 October — here are the key levels and both scenarios.
placeholder
US September CPI preview: inflation set to hit 3.7% — will the Fed hike in December?US September CPI lands Wednesday with headline inflation seen at 3.7% y/y and core at 0.2% m/m. December hike odds sit near 70% — here are the scenarios, the calendar and the key levels.
Author  Irene Q.
Oct 10, Sat
US September CPI lands Wednesday with headline inflation seen at 3.7% y/y and core at 0.2% m/m. December hike odds sit near 70% — here are the scenarios, the calendar and the key levels.
placeholder
Gold posts first weekly gain in three weeks — can $4,200 hold through CPI?Spot gold closed at $4,194.645, up 1.47% — its first weekly gain in three weeks — and COMEX futures settled back above $4,200 at $4,220.30. Here are the drivers, the levels and the scenarios into Wednesday's CPI.
Author  Irene Q.
Oct 10, Sat
Spot gold closed at $4,194.645, up 1.47% — its first weekly gain in three weeks — and COMEX futures settled back above $4,200 at $4,220.30. Here are the drivers, the levels and the scenarios into Wednesday's CPI.
placeholder
Copper hits a two-week high on a Codelco supply halt — silver slips below $61 as CPI loomsLME three-month copper rose 0.56% to $14,618.50 a tonne on Monday — a two-week high — after a landslide at Codelco's El Teniente mine killed two workers and halted part of the operation; COMEX copper gained 1.04% to $6.7615/lb before easing back on Tuesday. Silver, meanwhile, slipped below $61 as precious metals marked time ahead of Wednesday's US CPI. Here are the levels, the supply story and the scenarios.
Author  Irene Q.
9 hours ago
LME three-month copper rose 0.56% to $14,618.50 a tonne on Monday — a two-week high — after a landslide at Codelco's El Teniente mine killed two workers and halted part of the operation; COMEX copper gained 1.04% to $6.7615/lb before easing back on Tuesday. Silver, meanwhile, slipped below $61 as precious metals marked time ahead of Wednesday's US CPI. Here are the levels, the supply story and the scenarios.
placeholder
Gold Price Analysis Today | Forex Gold Analysis | XAU/USD Analysis - October 13, 2026Get the latest gold price analysis, forex gold insights, and XAU/USD analysis for October 13, 2026. Read on for the details.
Author  Mitrade
6 hours ago
Get the latest gold price analysis, forex gold insights, and XAU/USD analysis for October 13, 2026. Read on for the details.
goTop
quote