ExchangeDEX+
Buy CryptoMarketsSpotFuturesGOLDEarnEvents
More
TLDR Microsoft secured a $170.44 million firm-fixed-price task order from the U.S. Air Force for its Cloud One Program through December 7, 2028. The contract isTLDR Microsoft secured a $170.44 million firm-fixed-price task order from the U.S. Air Force for its Cloud One Program through December 7, 2028. The contract is

Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Air Force Awards $170M Cloud Contract As Stock Drops 20%

Author: CoincentralSource: Coincentral
2026/01/22 18:05
3 min read

TLDR

  • Microsoft secured a $170.44 million firm-fixed-price task order from the U.S. Air Force for its Cloud One Program through December 7, 2028.
  • The contract is sole source, meaning it was awarded without competition, with work performed at Microsoft facilities across the continental United States.
  • MSFT stock has dropped approximately 20% from its October 28 peak, losing over $700 billion in market capitalization.
  • Multiple brokerages including Citigroup, Mizuho, and TD Cowen recently lowered their price targets for Microsoft stock.
  • Microsoft’s Azure cloud business grew 40% in the September quarter, exceeding Wall Street expectations.

Microsoft received a $170.44 million contract from the U.S. Air Force on January 21, 2026. The Department of Defense awarded the firm-fixed-price task order for the Cloud One Program.


MSFT Stock Card
Microsoft Corporation, MSFT

The contract will provide Azure cloud service offerings to support the Air Force’s Cloud One Program and its customers. Work begins immediately with a completion date of December 7, 2028.

Microsoft will perform all work at its designated facilities across the contiguous United States. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued the contract as a sole source acquisition, meaning no competitive bidding took place.

The initial obligation includes $1.94 million from fiscal year 2026 operations and maintenance funds. The full contract value totals $170.44 million over the nearly three-year period.

The Cloud One Program operates as an enterprise-level cloud computing platform for the Department of the Air Force. It provides communication and cloud capabilities supporting mission applications across the U.S. military.

Microsoft joins other major cloud providers serving the program. Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Oracle also maintain vendor relationships with Cloud One.

Stock Performance Weighs on Investor Sentiment

MSFT stock has faced selling pressure in recent weeks despite the new government contract. Shares declined in six of the seven trading sessions leading up to the announcement.

The stock sits roughly 20% below its October 28 peak. Market capitalization dropped from over $4 trillion in October to $3.3 trillion by late January.

On January 21, shares fell 2.3% even as broader markets rebounded. The decline came on a day when President Donald Trump reversed plans for Greenland-linked tariffs on European countries.

Several Wall Street firms adjusted their outlook on Microsoft stock. Citigroup, Mizuho, and TD Cowen all reduced their price targets in recent days.

Analysts Maintain Buy Ratings Despite Cuts

Analyst consensus remains positive on Microsoft despite the recent price target reductions. According to Koyfin data, 56 of 58 analysts recommend “Buy” or higher ratings. The remaining two analysts recommend “Hold.”

The average price target stands at $622.20 per share. This implies approximately 40% upside from the stock’s last closing price.

Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing business posted 40% growth in the September quarter. The performance exceeded Wall Street expectations at the time.

The Department of Defense statement specified that fiscal year 2026 operations and maintenance funds totaling $1.94 million were obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center serves as the contracting activity for this task order.

The post Microsoft (MSFT) Stock: Air Force Awards $170M Cloud Contract As Stock Drops 20% appeared first on CoinCentral.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Recovery extends to $88.20, momentum improves

Recovery extends to $88.20, momentum improves

The post Recovery extends to $88.20, momentum improves appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Silver price extended its recovery for the second straight day, up by
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/02/05 07:34
Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For

Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For

The post Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Topline The Federal Reserve on Wednesday will conclude a two-day policymaking meeting and release a decision on whether to lower interest rates—following months of pressure and criticism from President Donald Trump—and potentially signal whether additional cuts are on the way. President Donald Trump has urged the central bank to “CUT INTEREST RATES, NOW, AND BIGGER” than they might plan to. Getty Images Key Facts The central bank is poised to cut interest rates by at least a quarter-point, down from the 4.25% to 4.5% range where they have been held since December to between 4% and 4.25%, as Wall Street has placed 100% odds of a rate cut, according to CME’s FedWatch, with higher odds (94%) on a quarter-point cut than a half-point (6%) reduction. Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, both Trump appointees, voted in July for a quarter-point reduction to rates, and they may dissent again in favor of a large cut alongside Stephen Miran, Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers’ chair, who was sworn in at the meeting’s start on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether other policymakers, including Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid and St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem, will favor larger cuts or opt for no reduction. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in his Jackson Hole, Wyoming, address last month the central bank would likely consider a looser monetary policy, noting the “shifting balance of risks” on the U.S. economy “may warrant adjusting our policy stance.” David Mericle, an economist for Goldman Sachs, wrote in a note the “key question” for the Fed’s meeting is whether policymakers signal “this is likely the first in a series of consecutive cuts” as the central bank is anticipated to “acknowledge the softening in the labor market,” though they may not “nod to an October cut.” Mericle said he…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 00:23
U.S. regulator declares do-over on prediction markets, throwing out Biden era 'frolic'

U.S. regulator declares do-over on prediction markets, throwing out Biden era 'frolic'

Policy Share Share this article 
Copy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmail
U.S. regulator declares do-over on prediction
Share
Coindesk2026/02/05 03:49