Strong Azure Results Powered Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT) Rally

Strong Azure Results Powered Microsoft Corporation’s (MSFT) Rally

By Soumya Eswaran
Publication Date: 2026-10-16 16:06:00

Diamond Hill Capital, a First Eagle Investment Management company, issued its Q3 2026 investor letter for its “Large Cap Strategy”. The letter can be downloaded here. The Strategy returned 3.18% (net of fees) in the quarter, outperforming the 2.61% return of the Russell 1000 Value Index. Key positive contributors included stock selection in information technology, an underweight in utilities, and an overweight in energy, while detractors were found in industrials, health care, and consumer staples. Looking ahead, the firm anticipates below-average returns due to high equity market valuations, although attractive bottom-up investment opportunities remain. Notably, software and legacy technology stocks outperformed in Q3 2026, despite recent index exclusions; some AI-related stocks that had boosted the index previously underperformed. Additionally, reviewing the Strategy’s top five holdings provides insight into its best positions for 2026.

In its Q3 2026…