Why Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR) Are 3 of Today’s Best Stocks

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Wall Street continued to digest a large number of earnings reports Friday, and digested it well, as earnings reports from the likes of blue chips such as Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) were extremely well received.

Why Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR) Are 3 of Today's Best StocksThe Commerce Department’s Durable Goods orders tried to throw a cup of water on the fire — the initial number was up 4%, but down 0.2% backing out transport numbers — but at the end of the day, the broader indices marched higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%, while the S&P 500 was up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite set yet another new high after climbing 0.7% to 5,092.08.

It felt like dot-com mania all over again, with big tech companies like AMZN and MSFT among the day’s best stocks. Also joining in was Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR). Here’s why.

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)

AMZN stock blasted 14% higher today despite a 12-cent loss for the quarter — mostly because the Street was expecting a 14-cent loss. Meanwhile, revenue was $1.57 billion, up 49% year-over-year, and in line with analysts’ expectations.

AMZN stock also received an upgrade today from several analysts, such as Janney Montgomery Scott LLC and JPMorgan Chase & Co. The former lifted its rating from “neutral” to “buy,” with a $488 price target, and the latter raised its rating from “neutral” to “overweight,” while increasing its price target from $375 to $535.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

MSFT stock gapped up more than 10% today after Thursday’s report, in which Microsoft announced third-quarter EPS of 61 cents — down 10% year-over-year, but better than analysts’ expectations for 51 cents. Revenue for the Seattle based software company was $21.71 billion, slightly ahead of the Street’s view for $21.06 billion.

CEO Satya Nadella reported that Microsoft’s cloud business had grown from three-fold from a year ago, and that the company is adding about 1 million new users per month to Office 365, its cloud-based productivity suite. Office 365 now has 12 million subscribers in total.

Pacific Crest Securities maintained its “overweight” rating on MSFT stock, but raised their price target from $48 to $50.

Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR)

JNPR stock had a doubleheader of good news to propel it almost 9% higher today.

After the bell on Thursday, Juniper announced adjusted Q1 profits of 22 cents a share, matching analysts’ estimates, with revenue of $1.067 billion, above Wall Street’s view of $1.044 billion. The solid revenue was the result of solid demand from its cloud, cable and European service providers.

Wall Street traders have been deluged with so many stocks missing estimates on revenues this quarter, that the Juniper revenue report must have been quite a refreshing change.

Adding to the fun for Juniper shareholders was an analyst’s upgrade at RBC Capital Markets today, lifting its rating of JNPR stock from “sector perform” to “outperform,” with a price target of $29.

JNPR stock closed just a few bucks below that today at $16.15.

As of this writing, Ethan Roberts does not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/04/amazon-com-inc-amzn-microsoft-corporation-msft-juniper-networks-inc-jnpr-3-todays-best-stocks/.

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