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What company should I buy stock in: Apple, Microsoft?

I'm planning to buy some stock in either Microsoft of Apple. Obviously, I could buy more shares of Microsoft than I could Apple (since Apple is around $71, and Microsoft only around $26). Which do you think is the better investment, and why? Thanks.

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Whatever you do, don't click here!

Id suggest apple, their only going up for the coming year. Xbox 360 is a flop. Id also suggest Sony around a month before the launch of Ps3.
MS stocks have been dwindling around 25-29$ range for a very long time, this time last year they were at 28$, theve gone down.

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Lies

I suggest Google... they aren't going anywhere but up.

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Moeface.

Buy Enron.

Originally posted by Profiler:

I suggest Google... they aren't going anywhere but up.

At $415 per share, Google is more than I'm looking to spend right now. I expect Apple would do well in the future, but you never know...

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Whatever you do, don't click here!

Originally posted by Rad:

Buy Enron.

What? ENRON CAP LLC MIPS at 1 cent?

Or ENRON CAP RES LP for 10 cents?

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Whatever you do, don't click here!

Originally posted by Popo:

Originally posted by Rad:

Buy Enron.

What? ENRON CAP LLC MIPS at 1 cent?

Or ENRON CAP RES LP for 10 cents?

The one thats 1 cent, sell when it reaches 2.

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Lies

Phat_Goat, discarding microsoft due to xbox's [questionable] flop (isn't it completely sold out until feburary in the US?) isn't smart.

The best way is to compare statistics.

Microsoft has a lower P/E (price elastisticy) ratio than apple. This means Microsoft's prices are more stable. Apple may have higher jumps, but it also has higher falls. From this perspective, Apple is a greater risk. Of course, this makes sense as microsoft has market dominance. Then again, risk = reward.

Microsoft is roughly three times more profitable (profit margin and operating margin, not revenue).

Apple has had a better year in stock growth, especially after an outstanding increase in quartely profit.

On the other hand, it was downgraded twice in december by two different stock research firms. This is signifigant. In fact, the general recommendation is better for MS than apple. This is partly because MS's stocks are relatively low while it has been a historically well preforming company. It is the blue chip of software, if you will.

Analysists:
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ao?s=AAPL
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ao?s=MSFT

Microsoft is cheaper right now. Looking at stock price charts, Apple has had more consistent growth over the last 3ish years. However, it could be inflated and sharply drop. On the other hand, MS is on the verge of a new OS (and with it, I presume, and updated office). As software remains a primary money maker, this should be reflected well in stocks.

You should diversify and purchase in both. Both will go up long term and you are better protected against firm flux, although not really against industry flux.

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http://www.philbrodeur.com - Expert PHP Development and Tutorials

Last edited by Phil, January 1st, 2006 12:31 PM (Edited 1 times)

Invest in pingucorp.

Well, investing in one single company is never a good plan. Why? What happens if that company goes bad, your out a lot of money.

The key to investing is diversification. Why? More companies you invest in around different sectors of the market, the better chance for high return.

I assume because you are young, you don't have a lot of money to invest, but there is hope for you. I would recommend dumping money in a mutual fund. Which one? Check out some No Load Mutual Funds on fidelity.com From there, you should be able to learn what you need to do to invest wisely.

Good luck and if you have more questions, throw them at me

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Jason