For Conservative Investors:
Microsoft Corp. |  - Co. Spotlights available via RSS feed
| Not Your Father's Software Company |  
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There are no safe havens in the stock market. Every stock carries risk. But some less than others. This column features stocks that have shown one or more of the following characteristics: less volatility, better earnings, larger market caps, safe and increasing dividends. In these times of turmoil, our goal is to show readers better opportunities for investing with fewer risks. | | MSFT | $19.64 | Best Features: It's a monopoly, almost.
Watch Out For: Continued economic slowdown. | 52-wk range | $17.50-$36.72 | | Beta | 1.07 | | Dividend Yield | 2.6% | | Market Cap. | $175B |
December 1, 2008 - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT-NASDAQ) provides software products for computing devices worldwide. Its Client segment offers the Windows product family that comprises Windows Vista; Windows XP Professional and Home; Media Center Edition; Tablet PC Edition; and other Windows operating systems.
The company's Server and Tools segment provides integrated server infrastructure and middleware software that support software applications and tools built on the Windows Server operating system. This segment offers Windows Server operating system; Microsoft SQL Server; Microsoft Enterprise Services; product support services; Visual Studio; System Center products; Forefront Security products; Biz Talk Server; and MSDN. Its Online Services Business provides an on-line advertising platform for publishers and advertisers; personal communications services, such as email and instant messaging; and online information. It offers LiveSearch; MSN; MapPoint; MSN Internet Access; MSN Premium Web Services; Windows Live; MSN Mobile Services; AvenueA Razorfish media agency services; Atlas online tools for advertisers; and the Drive PM ad network for publishers. The company's Microsoft Business Division provides Microsoft office product set comprising enterprise content management, collaboration, unified communications, and business intelligence products; and Microsoft Dynamics products for financial management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and analytics applications. Its Entertainment and Devices Division offers the Xbox video game system, including consoles and accessories, third-party games, games published under the Microsoft brand, and Xbox Live operations. This division also provides Zune digital music and entertainment device; PC software games; online games; Mediaroom, an Internet protocol television software; mobile and embedded device platforms; and Surface computing platform. Microsoft was founded in1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. And you thought they just made software. Their diversified revenue base, no long term debt and ever growing profitability, make this an ideal candidate for conservative investors to consider. Going back to 1992...continued on page 2 |
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