Microsoft’s new routes to profit

Article Excerpt

In February 2014, Microsoft replaced Steve Ballmer, its longtime chief executive officer, with Satya Nadella, who previously headed up the company’s profitable server software division. Since then, the stock has gained 12%. That’s mainly because Mr. Nadella plans to focus on the fast-growing mobile and cloud markets. Microsoft is also opening up its software to a wider variety of devices. We feel these moves position the company for years of growth and dividend increases. MICROSOFT CORP. $40 (Nasdaq symbol MSFT; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 8.3 billion; Market cap: $332.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.1; Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.microsoft.com) is the world’s largest software company. It went into business in 1975 and grew rapidly over the next 25 years as its Windows operating system dominated the personal computer market. About 90% of the world’s computers now use the Windows operating system. In the late 1980s, the company launched its Office suite of business programs, including a..