Just a few years ago, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) was the most valuable company in the world. It has been lapped recently by the likes of ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and General Electric (NYSE:GE), even though Mr. Softy is every inch the bellwether.
It is still the leading software company, though. And these days it's even giving Sony (NYSE:SNE) a good run for its money in the video game market. Even though its Xbox platform is a distant second to the Sony PlayStation, it has lapped Nintendo (NASDAQ:NTDOY) stateside and beat its rivals to the next generation punch when it rolled out the Xbox 360 back in November.
The stock was recommended last year to Motley Fool Inside Value subscribers. Microsoft? A value guru pick? How times have changed for the software giant. Will it bounce back? Are the glory days in the past? Not all Fools agree. Chuck Saletta sees potential in a Microsoft recovery, while Alyce Lomax feels that it's still a rocky road for this fallen market darling.
Few will doubt that Microsoft still matters, but does it belong in your portfolio? That's what this week's Duel is all about.
Duel on!
- Read Chuck Saletta's bull argument
- Read Alyce Lomax's bear argument
- Read Chuck Saletta's bullish rebuttal
- Read Alyce Lomax's bearish rebuttal
Microsoft is a Motley Fool Inside Value pick. For a 30-day free trial to the newsletter service that gives you ideas for the best stocks on the sales rack, click here.
