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Below Expectations: Microsoft’s Financial Performance Could Spur New Crypto Investment Decisions

By:
Julia Magas
Published: Nov 1, 2024, 16:25 GMT+00:00

Key Points:

  • Microsoft (MSFT) Q1 2025’s modest growth outlook led to a 3% drop in premarket share value, reflecting investor caution.
  • Despite Microsoft’s robust cloud revenue, intense competition from Google (GOOG) and Amazon (AMZN) and supply delays may prompt strategic pivots like cryptocurrency investments.
  • At its December 10 meeting, Microsoft’s shareholders will consider a proposal to invest in Bitcoin, mirroring MicroStrategy’s (MSTR) strategy.
  • MicroStrategy’s BTC holdings have significantly boosted its share value by over 300% in the past year.
Microsoft, FX Empire

In this article:

Microsoft’s (MSFT) Q1 2025 earnings report showed revenue of $65.59 billion and EPS of $3.30, beating Wall Street expectations. Despite the strong earnings, investors remain concerned due to expectations, which set a target of $68.1 to $69.1 billion for the current quarter — marking a 10.6% year-over-year increase but falling short of analysts’ consensus of $69.83 billion. As a result, Microsoft shares have dropped more than 3% in premarket trading.

MSFT has fluctuated over the past year, peaking around $466.5 in July but currently trading around $410 — down 6% over the past week. The market is reacting to the company’s slowing cloud revenue growth due to data center infrastructure supply issues, which could soon make it difficult to meet the demand for cloud services. Although Microsoft is actively developing cloud solutions and investing in infrastructure, the company’s CFO Amy Hood admitted that demand still exceeds the corporation’s capabilities.

Investment in Bitcoin as a Strategic Growth Decision

Despite moderate growth forecasts, analysts believe that Microsoft may consider alternative options to stay competitive, including potential investments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC). At Microsoft’s general meeting on December 10, shareholders will discuss a proposal from The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) advocating Bitcoin investments. This initiative presents Bitcoin as a tool to diversify Microsoft’s investment portfolio and as a potential hedge against inflation, aiming to strengthen the company’s financial resilience amidst economic volatility.

As an example of such a decision, shareholders are given the experience of MicroStrategy (MSTR), one of the largest public BTC holders. The company has been actively increasing its cryptocurrency portfolio for several years and has shown growth in shares thanks to its Bitcoin purchase strategy. In Q3 2024, MicroStrategy posted revenue of $164.9 million, with the company’s stock up more than 300% year-over-year. This is due to the accumulation of 252,200 BTC in Bitcoin, which is currently valued at more than $18 billion. MicroStrategy is thus attracting investors who are looking to gain exposure to Bitcoin through stock purchases.

Microsoft, despite its strong cloud position, faces stiff competition from companies like Google (GOOG) and Amazon (AMZN), which are also strengthening their cloud divisions. In particular, Google reported a 35% increase in cloud revenue to $11.35 billion in the last quarter, highlighting the strong demand for cloud services. Amazon, as the leader in the cloud computing market, has also shown stable growth and continues to dominate the market. In response to increased competition, Microsoft may consider new ways to attract investors.

$512 Billion Investment Potential

The NCPPR initiative to introduce Bitcoin into Microsoft’s investment portfolio offers an interesting prospect for crypto traders. The possibility of investing in Bitcoin may become a new vector for the company’s growth and help it maintain its position among technology giants. The accumulated $512 billion on the company’s balance sheet may be directed to investing in cryptocurrencies or related digital assets.

Thus, Microsoft’s change in strategy towards cryptocurrency assets may open up new opportunities for traders and investors, especially in conditions of high market volatility.

About the Author

Julia Magascontributor

Julia Magas is a researcher/journalist who covers the latest trends in finance and technology. Her works are published on Cointelegraph, Investing, SeekingAlpha, Beincrypto, Coincodex, where she interviewed the representatives from MIT, Binance, IRS, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Algorand, the Austrian government, Grant Thornton, and more.

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