Jim Cramer recently discussed Microsoft’s (MSFT) cloud business, Azure, highlighting its strong performance and comparing it to Amazon Web Services.
Key Discussion Points
- Azure Performance: Cramer noted that Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure business showed significant strength in the last quarter, with accelerated growth.
- Competition: He questioned whether Amazon Web Services might be catching up to Azure’s growth.
- OpenAI Relationship: Cramer emphasized the need to understand how much of Azure’s recent growth is attributed to its partnership with OpenAI.
- Market Capitalization: He also expressed concern about the high market concentration of companies like Microsoft and NVIDIA.
Recent Company Performance
- Fiscal Q4 2025 Results: Microsoft’s revenue was $76.4 billion, up 18% year-over-year, beating expectations.
- Azure Revenue: Azure revenue surpassed $75 billion for the fiscal year, a 34% increase from the previous year. Azure revenue growth was 39% year-over-year in fiscal Q4.
- Cloud Revenue: Microsoft Cloud revenue reached $46.7 billion in fiscal Q4, up 27%.
- Market Sentiment: Microsoft has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from analysts, with a target price of $612.54. However, short interest in the stock has recently increased by 4.11%.
Factors Influencing the Stock Price
- Cloud and AI Growth: The strength of Microsoft’s Cloud and AI businesses is seen as a primary driver of the stock’s performance.
- Regulatory Factors: Regulatory actions, such as antitrust investigations, can impact the stock price.
- Competition: Moves by competitors in cloud computing, gaming, and operating systems can influence Microsoft’s market position.
- OpenAI Agreement: A recent non-binding agreement with OpenAI is restructuring how enterprises will deploy artificial intelligence, potentially impacting Microsoft’s cloud strategy.
- Network Disruptions: Cable cuts in the Red Sea have caused delays in Microsoft Azure cloud platform traffic in parts of the Middle East.