Microsoft Corporation, the American multinational technology company, has been one of the most prominent companies in the tech industry. Founded in 1975, the company’s market capitalization was $2.15 trillion, as of April 18, 2023. The company has had a strong revenue growth, reaching $198.27 billion in 2022, with projections of $262.57 billion in 2025. This growth has been fueled by several products, including Windows, Office Suite, Xbox, and LinkedIn, among others.
The company’s financial statements show strong performance, particularly in revenue, with an impressive compound annual growth rate of 13.3% between 2017 and 2022. The company has also maintained a good profitability level, with an average EBIT margin of 41.4% between 2017 and 2022. However, the company’s net income margin has been fluctuating between 2017 and 2022, reaching its highest at 36.5% in 2021 and its lowest at 31.0% in 2018.
The company's valuation ratios have been at reasonable levels over the years. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has ranged from 26.6x in 2022 to 35.3x in 2020. The P/E ratio is expected to reach 23.0x in 2025. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio has ranged from 11.5x in 2022 to 14.3x in 2021, and it is expected to reach 6.54x in 2025.
Microsoft Corporation's enterprise value (EV) to revenue ratio has also remained reasonable, ranging from 9.4x in 2022 to 11.7x in 2021, while its EV to EBITDA ratio ranged from 19.1x in 2022 to 24.1x in 2021. The company's enterprise value over free cash flow (EV/FCF) ratio was at 28.6x in 2022, and it is expected to reach 22.6x in 2025.
The company has a strong balance sheet, with net cash position ranging from $54.98 billion in 2022 to $135.17 billion in 2025. The company's free cash flow (FCF) margin has been reasonable, ranging from 32.9% in 2022 to 34.0% in 2025. Furthermore, Microsoft has maintained high return on equity (ROE) ratios of over 30% since 2018.
In light of the above financial performance, it is not surprising that analysts have a positive outlook for the company's future. They estimate that the company's net income will increase from $92.49 billion in 2025 to around $ billion in 2027, while the earnings per share (EPS) will reach $14.4 in 2027, according to the consensus of Wall Street. Moreover, the company's management has a history of generating high shareholder returns, primarily through share buybacks and dividends. The company’s dividend yield has ranged from 0.83% in 2021 to 1.13% in 2025, and it is expected to remain stable in the future.
Overall, Microsoft is a highly profitable and financially stable company, with strong growth potential in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence segments. While its current P/E ratio of 26.6x may seem relatively high compared to historical averages, it is still within reasonable range for a tech company with its growth prospects. The company's strong net cash position and negative leverage ratio further demonstrate its financial stability.
In conclusion, I believe that Microsoft is a strong investment opportunity for long-term investors. While short-term volatility and market fluctuations are always a possibility, the company's financial strength and growth potential make it an attractive option. With its continued investments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.