MSFT vs. SONY: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MSFT and SONY, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
MSFT is a standard domestic listing, while SONY trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Microsoft Corporation | Sony Group Corporation |
| Country | United States | Japan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Software | Household Durables |
| Market Capitalization | 3,759.10 billion USD | 168.52 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 13, 1986 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MSFT and SONY by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.21% | 0.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.21% | 15.46% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 23.18% | 19.67% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.97% | 13.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.21% | 13.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 19.98% | 23.72% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 20.86M | 18.73M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 20.58M | 14.80M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.87% | 31.61% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 1.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MSFT
32.44%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
SONY
14.17%
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 26.99%
- Q3
- 17.28%
- Median
- 12.66%
- Q1
- 7.34%
- Min
- 0.07%
SONY’s Return on Equity of 14.17% is on par with the norm for the Household Durables industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MSFT
36.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 36.15% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
SONY
9.13%
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 15.50%
- Q3
- 8.99%
- Median
- 6.57%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- -0.49%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.13% places SONY in the upper quartile for the Household Durables industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MSFT
45.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.29% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
SONY
11.68%
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 12.29%
- Median
- 9.54%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -1.92%
SONY’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.68% is around the midpoint for the Household Durables industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.44% | 14.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 18.20% | 3.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.15% | 9.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.29% | 11.68% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.82% | 31.29% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
1.35
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.35 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
SONY
1.09
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 9.23
- Q3
- 4.50
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.70
SONY’s Current Ratio of 1.09 falls into the lower quartile for the Household Durables industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
0.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.26 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
SONY
0.19
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
SONY’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 is typical for the Household Durables industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
891.80
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 891.80, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
SONY
104.18
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 140.40
- Q3
- 77.14
- Median
- 24.53
- Q1
- 5.69
- Min
- -17.01
SONY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 104.18 is in the upper quartile for the Household Durables industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 1.09 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 1.03 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.26 | 0.19 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 891.80 | 104.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MSFT
0.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
SONY
0.47%
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 8.95%
- Q3
- 4.19%
- Median
- 1.88%
- Q1
- 0.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
SONY’s Dividend Yield of 0.47% is consistent with its peers in the Household Durables industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
23.65%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 23.65%, MSFT’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
SONY
10.52%
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 125.12%
- Q3
- 62.43%
- Median
- 39.18%
- Q1
- 5.55%
- Min
- 0.00%
SONY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.52% is within the typical range for the Household Durables industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.64% | 0.47% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.65% | 10.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
37.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 37.23 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
SONY
22.21
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 29.75
- Q3
- 18.88
- Median
- 13.25
- Q1
- 9.26
- Min
- 6.32
A P/E Ratio of 22.21 places SONY in the upper quartile for the Household Durables industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
13.46
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 13.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SONY
2.03
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 2.12
- Q3
- 1.21
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.18
SONY’s P/S Ratio of 2.03 is in the upper echelon for the Household Durables industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
10.76
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSFT’s P/B Ratio of 10.76 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
SONY
2.77
Household Durables Industry
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 2.29
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.59
SONY’s P/B Ratio of 2.77 is in the upper tier for the Household Durables industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | SONY |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.23 | 22.21 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 13.46 | 2.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 10.76 | 2.77 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.94 | 12.66 |