C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
MSFT leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and Microsoft Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AI vs MSFT
growth of $100 · last 6yAI -88.2%MSFT +84.5%MSFT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AI MSFT
AI vs MSFT: by the numbers
- •MSFT is the larger company ($2.90T vs $1.55B market cap).
- •MSFT is profitable (39.34% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
- •MSFT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.75% vs 6.44% CAGR).
- •MSFT pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.
Which is better, AI or MSFT?
Metric tally: AI 2 · MSFT 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthMSFT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityMSFT(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AI | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 23.26 |
| Forward P/E | — | 20.12 |
| P/S ratio | 6.37● | 9.14 |
| P/B ratio | 2.44● | 7.02 |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 14.60 |
| FCF yield | — | 2.51% |
Profitability
| Metric | AI | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.92% | 68.31%● |
| Operating margin | -194.86% | 46.80%● |
| Net margin | -187.95% | 39.34%● |
| ROE | -71.95% | 30.22%● |
| ROIC | -68.71% | 21.63%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AI | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.91% |
| Payout ratio | — | 25.99% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AI | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.44% | 14.75%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 18.68% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | — | 6.27% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -29.02% | 9.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AI or MSFT?
- It depends on your goal. growth: MSFT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: MSFT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MSFT leads 7 to 2.
- Which has grown faster, AI or MSFT?
- Over the past five years, MSFT grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus MSFT at 14.75%.
- Does AI or MSFT pay a bigger dividend?
- MSFT pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.
- Is AI or MSFT more profitable?
- MSFT runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus MSFT at 39.34%.
- Which has been the better investment, AI or MSFT?
- Over the past 5-year, MSFT delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus MSFT at 23.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
C3.ai P/E ratioMicrosoft P/E ratioC3.ai dividend yieldMicrosoft dividend yieldC3.ai ROEMicrosoft ROEC3.ai operating marginMicrosoft operating marginC3.ai revenue growthMicrosoft revenue growthC3.ai free cash flowMicrosoft free cash flow
C3.ai & Microsoft appear in these rankings
Highest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.