The Portfolio Selector features the Argus Focus List, a group of 30 "best idea" stocks generated and regularly updated by Argus' analysts and investment policy committee. It also includes the director of research’s monthly investment strategy column, stock recommendations and sector picks, economic forecasts, and an asset allocation model. This month, the Focus List additions are Microsoft Corporation (MSFT); Coca-Cola Co (KO); Zions Bancorporation N.A (ZION); Lilly(Eli) & Co (LLY) and the Focus List deletions are Broadcom Inc (AVGO); Campbell Soup Co. (CPB); Regions Financial Corp. (RF); Teva Phar Inds Lt (TEVA).

Stocks were higher on Thursday, as earnings news provided a boost. The Nasdaq led the way, but all indices were in the green. That said, there were signs of profit-taking by the end of the day.

Microsoft is the world's largest independent software developer. The company was founded on the MS Windows operating system and MS Office business applications suite for PCs. As it has grown, Microsoft has expanded into enterprise software with Windows Server, SQL Server, Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, Azure, and Lync; hardware with the Xbox gaming/media platform and the Surface tablet; and online services through MSN and Bing. Microsoft acquired Skype, the internet VoIP communications service, in October 2011. More than 50% of revenue is generated outside the U.S.

Microsoft develops and licenses consumer and enterprise software. It is known for its Windows operating systems and Office productivity suite. The company is organized into three equally sized broad segments: productivity and business processes (legacy Microsoft Office, cloud-based Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype, LinkedIn, Dynamics), intelligence cloud (infrastructure- and platform-as-a-service offerings Azure, Windows Server OS, SQL Server), and more personal computing (Windows Client, Xbox, Bing search, display advertising, and Surface laptops, tablets, and desktops).