Tech analyst Dan Ives excludes Nvidia from his 2026 watchlist, favoring Microsoft instead. Ives cites Azure growth potential and AI-driven innovations as key reasons for his bullish stance on MSFT stock. Microsoft’s Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings beat expectations, with revenue up 18% and cloud revenue growing by 26% YoY. The company’s strong financial performance, cash generation, and reasonable valuation make it an attractive investment. Microsoft’s focus on AI technologies, diverse asset base, and enterprise software dominance position it for continued growth. Analysts recommend a “Strong Buy” rating on MSFT stock with a target price of $630.07, suggesting a 33% upside potential. Microsoft stock is highly favored by analysts, with 39 out of 48 giving it a “Strong Buy” rating. Only four analysts have a “Hold” rating, showing strong confidence in the stock’s performance. This positive outlook suggests a promising future for Microsoft in the market.

Source: Barchart.com

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