Here’s Why Microsoft (MSFT) is Among the 12 Strong Buy Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 5 Years

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the 12 Strong Buy Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 5 Years.

On May 22, 2026, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) agreed to pay $250M to settle investor litigation over its takeover of Activision Blizzard, Bloomberg’s Mike Leonard reported, citing court filings. The pact, filed in Delaware’s Chancery Court, would settle allegations that Activision ex-CEO Bobby Kotick and other board members offered a heavily discounted transaction to escape the sexual misconduct scandal that had engulfed the “Call of Duty” maker. Leonard noted that a judge allowed the case to move forward against Activision Blizzard last October, though claims that Microsoft exploited the scandal to push down the purchase price were dismissed.

Here's Why Microsoft (MSFT) is Among the 12 Strong Buy Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Next 5 Years

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On the same day, Business Insider’s Ashley Stewart reported that Microsoft’s chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, is set to depart after the next fiscal year, according to an internal memo. Mehdi, a 35-year company veteran, wrote that the “time is right” to begin planning for his next move and said he will work through the next fiscal year to help reimagine Windows for the agentic era, grow Microsoft 365 services, and advance the company’s One Copilot vision.

Earlier in May, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square disclosed in an SEC filing its holdings as of March 31. Pershing Square took a new 5.65M-share stake in Microsoft (MSFT) during Q1.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of MSFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy. 

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