Microsoft (MSFT) is losing another longtime senior executive as troubles mount at the leading software company.
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Julia Liuson, who led Microsoft’s development tools group and has been with the technology giant for 34 years, has announced that she is retiring in June of this year. She joined Microsoft in 1992, the same year as CEO Satya Nadella.
Liuson has been president of Microsoft’s developer division since 2021. Her departure comes as Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, faces mounting competition from startup companies with products that rely on generative artificial intelligence (AI) models to help developers write code.
Microsoft’s Growing Problems
MSFT stock has fallen 20% this year on concerns about AI threats to its business. The company has also been hurt by worries around private credit’s exposure to the software sector, and fears of its growing AI capital expenditures, which are forecast to reach as much as $120 billion this year.
Microsoft has experienced a significant wave of executive departures and leadership changes this year. They include Rajesh Jha, who oversaw Windows, Office, and Teams; Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Gaming; Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, Chief Diversity Officer; and Charlie Bell, an executive in charge of security.
Is MSFT Stock a Buy?
Microsoft’s stock has a consensus Strong Buy rating among 37 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on 34 Buy and three Hold recommendations issued in the last three months. The average MSFT price target of $581.61 implies 56% upside from current levels.
