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Microsoft’s Azure Efficiencies Could Boost Margins Despite Capacity Delays, Bernstein Says – Analyst Sees Over 31% Upside In MSFT Stock

Microsoft reported first-quarter revenue of $92.28 billion, up 19% and above the $90.61 billion Wall Street estimate, while adjusted EPS of $4.89 beat the $4.72 expected, with Azure revenue up 48%. Microsoft Cloud revenue rose 30% to $63.9 billion, while Devices and Consumer revenue fell 3%, and the company expects second-quarter revenue of $96–97.1 billion. Capex of $45.2 billion came in below the company's target of around $50 billion due to delays in expanding data center capacity, yet Bernstein SocGen raised its price target to $722 from $662 and kept an 'Outperform' rating. Piper Sandler and Morgan Stanley raised their targets, Deutsche Bank kept its 'Buy' rating, and MSFT shares have gained more than 12% so far in 2026.

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MarketUS stocks
SectorInformation Technology
IndustrySystems Software
Market cap$3.9T
Close on 10/28/2026531.01
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