These 8 names are the most widely held stocks in the world By Investing.com
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 20 2024
0mins
Should l Buy MSFT?
Source: Investing.com
Top Global Stocks: Bank of America identified the eight most widely held individual stocks globally, with TSMC leading at 94%, followed by Microsoft (87%) and Samsung Electronics (85%).
Investment Trends: In July, long-only funds increased their equity exposure by $10.1 billion, particularly favoring the Industrials sector, while reallocating from bonds to equities, reflecting optimism about the global economic cycle.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy MSFT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on MSFT
Wall Street analysts forecast MSFT stock price to rise
34 Analyst Rating
32 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 404.370
Low
500.00
Averages
631.36
High
678.00
Current: 404.370
Low
500.00
Averages
631.36
High
678.00
About MSFT
Microsoft Corporation is a technology company that develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions. Its Productivity and Business Processes segment consists of products and services in its portfolio of productivity, communication, and information services, spanning a variety of devices and platforms. It comprises Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services; Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services; LinkedIn, and Dynamics products and cloud services. The Intelligent Cloud segment consists of its public, private, and hybrid server products and cloud services. It comprises server products and cloud services, including Azure, and enterprise and partner services, including Enterprise Support Services. Its More Personal Computing segment primarily comprises Windows and Devices, including Windows OEM licensing; Gaming, including Xbox hardware and Xbox content; Search and news advertising, comprising Bing and Copilot, Microsoft News, and Microsoft Edge.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Anthropic Secures $30B Funding Round, Valuation Reaches $380B
- Funding Exceeds Expectations: Anthropic successfully raised $30 billion in its latest Series G funding round, achieving a valuation of $380 billion, which underscores the strong market demand for its AI products and solidifies its leadership position in enterprise AI.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company's revenue run rate has reached $14 billion, growing more than tenfold over the past three years, indicating a substantial increase in market acceptance and usage of its products, particularly among enterprise clients.
- Surge in Claude Code Demand: Claude Code's revenue run rate now exceeds $2.5 billion, having doubled since the start of the year, with business subscriptions quadrupling since early 2026, reflecting deepening reliance on the tool by enterprises.
- Potential IPO Plans: Anthropic is reportedly working with advisors in preparation for a potential initial public offering later this year, signaling the company's confidence in future growth and its intention to leverage capital markets for further business expansion.
See More
Microsoft AI CEO Predicts Full Automation of Professional Tasks
- Automation of Professional Tasks: Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, predicts that within the next 12 to 18 months, “most, if not all, professional tasks” for lawyers, accountants, project managers, and marketing professionals will be fully automated, significantly enhancing work efficiency and transforming industry dynamics.
- Role Transformation for Software Engineers: In a recent Financial Times interview, Suleyman noted that many software engineers have begun using AI-assisted coding for the majority of their production in the last six months, indicating that similar changes are imminent for white-collar jobs, potentially leading to a reduction in traditional roles.
- Surge in Computing Power: He highlighted a staggering 1 trillionfold increase in training compute over the past 15 years, with an expected further 1,000x increase in the next three years, which enables AI models to code better than most human programmers, signaling a technological revolution in the industry.
- Defining AGI vs. Superintelligence: When discussing the difference between artificial general intelligence and superintelligence, Suleyman emphasized his focus on building systems capable of performing most daily professional tasks, referring to this as “professional-grade AGI,” which will drive automation across various sectors while raising ethical concerns about AI.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Face Major Risks Amidst Opportunities
- Market Potential: Quantum computing is projected to create between $450 billion and $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, offering substantial return potential for investors despite being significantly smaller than the trillion-dollar AI market.
- Stock Price Surge: As of October 2025, shares of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. have skyrocketed by 670%, 6,217%, 3,912%, and 2,798% respectively over the past 12 months, reflecting strong market confidence in quantum computing.
- Significant Financing Risks: These four quantum computing companies collectively issued over $4.1 billion in common stock and warrants in 2025 to raise capital, indicating their unproven operating models and posing dilution risks for existing shareholders.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: With major players like Amazon and Microsoft ramping up investments in quantum computing, the low barriers to entry could threaten the market position of pure-play quantum companies, potentially leading to their obsolescence as the technology matures.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Surge Up to 6,200% Over the Past Year
- Quantum Stock Performance: As of mid-October, stocks of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. surged by up to 6,200% over the past year, reflecting strong investor confidence and robust market demand for this nascent technology.
- Market Potential Analysis: According to a forecast by Boston Consulting Group, quantum computing could generate between $450 billion and $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, attracting significant investor interest despite its smaller market size compared to artificial intelligence.
- Risks and Challenges: While quantum computing stocks present substantial return potential, they face risks such as share dilution and slow commercialization; collectively, these four companies issued over $4.1 billion in common stock and warrants in 2025 to raise capital, which could negatively impact existing shareholders.
- Competitive Pressure: With the
See More
Europe's Growing Dependence on U.S. Tech Providers
- Market Dominance: According to Synergy Research Group, U.S. companies are projected to control over 70% of the European cloud market by 2025, while European firms are expected to hold less than 15%, indicating the persistent dominance of American tech giants in key markets.
- Data Privacy Risks: The reliance on U.S. tech firms raises concerns over data privacy due to the Cloud Act, which allows U.S. law enforcement to request user data from American companies regardless of where it is stored, even if in Europe.
- Competitive Challenges: With SAP and Deutsche Telekom holding only 2% of the European cloud market, U.S. companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google maintain a competitive edge through continuous investment and brand recognition, putting European firms at a disadvantage.
- Calls for Technological Sovereignty: As geopolitical tensions escalate, European governments are increasingly seeking digital autonomy, with SAP CEO Christian Klein noting that political leaders are re-evaluating technology to ensure sovereignty over data and software.
See More
Nvidia Shareholders Focus on Future AI Developments
- AI Investment Surge: Major cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet announced significant increases in capital expenditures during Q4 to support AI-related chip and data center investments, indicating a strong commitment to capitalize on AI opportunities and likely driving further market expansion.
- Palantir Exceeds Expectations: Palantir reported a 70% year-over-year revenue increase and a 79% rise in earnings per share in Q4, primarily driven by robust demand for its Artificial Intelligence Platform, highlighting the urgent need for AI solutions in the enterprise sector and the market's potential.
- TSMC's Strong Sales: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) experienced a 26% year-over-year revenue growth and a 35% increase in earnings per share in Q4, with January marking its highest monthly revenue ever, underscoring the robust demand for AI and reinforcing market confidence in AI technologies.
- Wall Street's Bullish Outlook: Among 63 analysts, 94% rated Nvidia as a buy or strong buy, with Evercore ISI's Mark Lipacis setting a price target of $352, suggesting an 85% potential upside, reflecting the market's strong recognition of Nvidia's leadership position in the AI sector.
See More
Anthropic Secures $30B Funding Round, Valuation Reaches $380B
- Funding Exceeds Expectations: Anthropic successfully raised $30 billion in its latest Series G funding round, achieving a valuation of $380 billion, which underscores the strong market demand for its AI products and solidifies its leadership position in enterprise AI.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company's revenue run rate has reached $14 billion, growing more than tenfold over the past three years, indicating a substantial increase in market acceptance and usage of its products, particularly among enterprise clients.
- Surge in Claude Code Demand: Claude Code's revenue run rate now exceeds $2.5 billion, having doubled since the start of the year, with business subscriptions quadrupling since early 2026, reflecting deepening reliance on the tool by enterprises.
- Potential IPO Plans: Anthropic is reportedly working with advisors in preparation for a potential initial public offering later this year, signaling the company's confidence in future growth and its intention to leverage capital markets for further business expansion.
See More
Microsoft AI CEO Predicts Full Automation of Professional Tasks
- Automation of Professional Tasks: Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, predicts that within the next 12 to 18 months, “most, if not all, professional tasks” for lawyers, accountants, project managers, and marketing professionals will be fully automated, significantly enhancing work efficiency and transforming industry dynamics.
- Role Transformation for Software Engineers: In a recent Financial Times interview, Suleyman noted that many software engineers have begun using AI-assisted coding for the majority of their production in the last six months, indicating that similar changes are imminent for white-collar jobs, potentially leading to a reduction in traditional roles.
- Surge in Computing Power: He highlighted a staggering 1 trillionfold increase in training compute over the past 15 years, with an expected further 1,000x increase in the next three years, which enables AI models to code better than most human programmers, signaling a technological revolution in the industry.
- Defining AGI vs. Superintelligence: When discussing the difference between artificial general intelligence and superintelligence, Suleyman emphasized his focus on building systems capable of performing most daily professional tasks, referring to this as “professional-grade AGI,” which will drive automation across various sectors while raising ethical concerns about AI.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Face Major Risks Amidst Opportunities
- Market Potential: Quantum computing is projected to create between $450 billion and $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, offering substantial return potential for investors despite being significantly smaller than the trillion-dollar AI market.
- Stock Price Surge: As of October 2025, shares of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. have skyrocketed by 670%, 6,217%, 3,912%, and 2,798% respectively over the past 12 months, reflecting strong market confidence in quantum computing.
- Significant Financing Risks: These four quantum computing companies collectively issued over $4.1 billion in common stock and warrants in 2025 to raise capital, indicating their unproven operating models and posing dilution risks for existing shareholders.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: With major players like Amazon and Microsoft ramping up investments in quantum computing, the low barriers to entry could threaten the market position of pure-play quantum companies, potentially leading to their obsolescence as the technology matures.
See More
Quantum Computing Stocks Surge Up to 6,200% Over the Past Year
- Quantum Stock Performance: As of mid-October, stocks of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. surged by up to 6,200% over the past year, reflecting strong investor confidence and robust market demand for this nascent technology.
- Market Potential Analysis: According to a forecast by Boston Consulting Group, quantum computing could generate between $450 billion and $850 billion in global economic value by 2040, attracting significant investor interest despite its smaller market size compared to artificial intelligence.
- Risks and Challenges: While quantum computing stocks present substantial return potential, they face risks such as share dilution and slow commercialization; collectively, these four companies issued over $4.1 billion in common stock and warrants in 2025 to raise capital, which could negatively impact existing shareholders.
- Competitive Pressure: With the
See More
Europe's Growing Dependence on U.S. Tech Providers
- Market Dominance: According to Synergy Research Group, U.S. companies are projected to control over 70% of the European cloud market by 2025, while European firms are expected to hold less than 15%, indicating the persistent dominance of American tech giants in key markets.
- Data Privacy Risks: The reliance on U.S. tech firms raises concerns over data privacy due to the Cloud Act, which allows U.S. law enforcement to request user data from American companies regardless of where it is stored, even if in Europe.
- Competitive Challenges: With SAP and Deutsche Telekom holding only 2% of the European cloud market, U.S. companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google maintain a competitive edge through continuous investment and brand recognition, putting European firms at a disadvantage.
- Calls for Technological Sovereignty: As geopolitical tensions escalate, European governments are increasingly seeking digital autonomy, with SAP CEO Christian Klein noting that political leaders are re-evaluating technology to ensure sovereignty over data and software.
See More
Nvidia Shareholders Focus on Future AI Developments
- AI Investment Surge: Major cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet announced significant increases in capital expenditures during Q4 to support AI-related chip and data center investments, indicating a strong commitment to capitalize on AI opportunities and likely driving further market expansion.
- Palantir Exceeds Expectations: Palantir reported a 70% year-over-year revenue increase and a 79% rise in earnings per share in Q4, primarily driven by robust demand for its Artificial Intelligence Platform, highlighting the urgent need for AI solutions in the enterprise sector and the market's potential.
- TSMC's Strong Sales: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) experienced a 26% year-over-year revenue growth and a 35% increase in earnings per share in Q4, with January marking its highest monthly revenue ever, underscoring the robust demand for AI and reinforcing market confidence in AI technologies.
- Wall Street's Bullish Outlook: Among 63 analysts, 94% rated Nvidia as a buy or strong buy, with Evercore ISI's Mark Lipacis setting a price target of $352, suggesting an 85% potential upside, reflecting the market's strong recognition of Nvidia's leadership position in the AI sector.
See More
