Microsoft: S&P Intraday Gainer

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Microsoft(MSFT) was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 on Friday morning.

The S&P 500 was rising 7.17 points, or 0.52%, to 1,384.09.

Shares of Microsoft gained 5.26% to $32.64. The software company reported Thursday fiscal third-quarter earnings of $5.11 billion, or 60 cents a share, down from year-earlier earnings of $5.23 billion, or 61 cents a share. Microsoft's earnings topped analysts' expectations of 57 cents a share.

Microsoft trades at an estimated price-to-earnings ratio for next year of 10.69 times; the average for software companies is 30.28. For comparison, Oracle(ORCL) has a higher forward P/E of 11.1.

Twenty-five of the 39 analysts who cover Microsoft rated it buy. Thirteen analysts gave the stock a hold rating and one rated it sell.

TheStreet Ratings gives Microsoft an A grade with a buy rating and $35.78 price target. The stock has risen 25.88% year to date.