Dow Review: Microsoft

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which analyst John Reeves and advisor David Meier discuss topics across the investing world.

Over the next couple of weeks, John and David will be revisiting some calls they made on individual stocks of the Dow. Today, they're talking Microsoft. This company is up a healthy 14% so far in 2012 compared with just a 5% or so gain for the Dow average as a whole. And it pays a pretty good dividend, too. David and John have given Microsoft an underperform call over the next five years or so. One of the big reasons is that the company is lagging Apple in the growing mobile computing space. Frankly, it doesn't look like it can catch up. The PC market is coming under pressure, and Microsoft will start to feel the squeeze soon. That's why John and David don't think the tech giant will outperform the market over the next five years.

Microsoft actually pays a pretty solid dividend, though investors don't often think of it as a dividend stock. If you're interested learning about some outstanding high-yielding companies, The Motley Fool has compiled a special free report outlining our top nine dependable, dividend-paying stocks. It's called "Secure Your Future With 9 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks." You can access your copy today at no cost! Just click here to discover the winners we've picked.

The article Dow Review: Microsoft originally appeared on Fool.com.

David Meierowns shares of Apple.John Reevesowns shares of Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, and Microsoft.Motley Fool newsletter services recommendApple, Google, Microsoft, and Nokia. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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