Nomura Securities Maintains a 'Buy' on Microsoft (MSFT); Gartner Gives Hope To PC Market

Nomura Securities maintains a 'Buy' on Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) price target of $37.00.

Analyst, Rick Sherlund, said, "After the close, Gartner announced its preliminary PC market results for 1Q 12, measuring sell-in for the top-5 PC OEMs. Worldwide PC shipment growth of 1.9% y/y (-6.7% q/q) was above Gartner’s most recent expectations of down 1.2%. Better-than-expected shipments in EMEA and less of an impact from HDD shortages drove the results. However, the quarter benefitted from inventory building after some possible supply constraints in the December quarter, so actual end-demand is likely still poor ahead of the upcoming release of Ivy Bridge and Windows 8. This is a small positive for MSFT, yet end-demand for PCs is still weak."

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Microsoft click here. For more ratings news on Microsoft click here.

Shares of Microsoft closed at $30.35 yesterday.

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Active options: MSFT PLTR AMD AMZN MRVL META HOOD SKHY RIOT ONDS
• Mizuho TMT specialist names top software pick into year-end
• Cantor Fitzgerald Reiterates Overweight Rating on Applied Materials (AMAT)