Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Today's Featured Computer Software & Services Winner

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) pushed the Computer Software & Services industry higher today making it today's featured computer software & services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 1.9%. By the end of trading, Microsoft Corporation rose 56 cents (1.9%) to $29.75 on average volume. Throughout the day, 35.4 million shares of Microsoft Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 44.2 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $29.48-$29.94 after having opened the day at $29.53 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $29.19. Other companies within the Computer Software & Services industry that increased today were: Pros Holdings (PRO), up 18.6%, Helios & Matheson Information Technology In (HMNY), up 12.9%, TigerLogic Corporation (TIGR), up 11.5%, and BroadSoft (BSFT), up 11.1%.

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Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products and services for various computing devices worldwide. Microsoft Corporation has a market cap of $246.56 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.7, equal to the average computer software & services industry P/E ratio and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 13.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 20 analysts that rate Microsoft Corporation a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and eight rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Microsoft Corporation as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, reasonable valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• You can view the full Microsoft Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Active Network (ACTV), down 15.8%, Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution (KONE), down 15.4%, Analysts International (ANLY), down 14%, and SciQuest (SQI), down 11.1%, were all laggards within the computer software & services industry with Activision Blizzard (ATVI) being today's computer software & services industry laggard.

• Use our computer software & services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the computer software & services industry could consider iShares S&P NA Tech Software Idx (IGV) while those bearish on the computer software & services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Technology (REW).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Microsoft Corporation click any of the following:

• Microsoft Corporation Stock Price

• Microsoft Corporation Analyst Ratings

• Microsoft Corporation Key Stats & Profile

• Microsoft Corporation Earnings

• Microsoft Corporation Ratio Comparison

• Microsoft Corporation Growth Rates

• Microsoft Corporation Balance Sheet

• Microsoft Corporation Cash Flow

• Microsoft Corporation Income Statement