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

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) pushed the Computer Software & Services industry lower today making it today's featured Computer Software & Services laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.6%. By the end of trading, Microsoft Corporation fell 51 cents (-1.9%) to $26.74 on average volume. Throughout the day, 51.8 million shares of Microsoft Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 54.9 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $26.73-$27.34 after having opened the day at $27.27 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $27.25. Other companies within the Computer Software & Services industry that declined today were: DynaVox (DVOX), down 7.8%, Helios & Matheson Information Technology In (HMNY), down 6%, Vringo (VRNG), down 5.1%, and Kingtone Wirelessinfo Solution (KONE), down 4%.

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Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses, and supports software products and services; and designs and sells hardware worldwide. Microsoft Corporation has a market cap of $232.46 billion and is part of the technology sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.9, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 3.4% 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 10 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 largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels, increase in stock price during the past year, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity. 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 positive front, Webmedia Brands (WEBM), up 8.6%, Analysts International (ANLY), up 8.5%, Guidance Software (GUID), up 7.6%, and Velti (VELT), up 7.1%, were all gainers within the computer software & services industry with Citrix Systems (CTXS) being today's featured computer software & services industry leader.

• 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.

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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