ADSK vs MSFT

For growth investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger pick with 14.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 5% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) offers the better valuation at 30. 2x trailing P/E (24. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) a "Buy" — based on 51 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the cheapest at 30.

2x versus Autodesk, Inc. at 47. 7x. On forward P/E, Autodesk, Inc. is actually cheaper at 20. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) delivered a total return of +72.

8%, compared to -11. 3% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSFT returned +770. 8% versus ADSK's +326. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 85β versus Microsoft Corporation's 0. 89β — meaning MSFT is approximately 4% more volatile than ADSK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 90% for Autodesk, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is pulling ahead at 14.

9% versus 10. 5% for Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Microsoft Corporation grew EPS 15. 6% year-over-year, compared to 2. 1% for Autodesk, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MSFT leads at 12. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the more profitable company, earning 36.

1% net margin versus 16. 6% for Autodesk, Inc. — meaning it keeps 36. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSFT leads at 45. 6% versus 23. 3% for ADSK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADSK leads at 96. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Autodesk, Inc.

(ADSK) trades at 20. 1x forward P/E versus 24. 8x for Microsoft Corporation — 4. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ADSK: 35. 5% to $338. 00.

In this comparison, MSFT (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. ADSK does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

89), 0. 8% yield, +770. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSFT: +770. 8%, ADSK: +326. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

MSFT pays a dividend while ADSK does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.