Here's a wild idea: what if the tech companies making billions from AI actually paid for the electricity it takes to run their massive data centers, instead of passing those costs onto regular people's utility bills? Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) apparently thinks that's worth doing, and at least one Wall Street expert thinks it could be the move that pushes the company back to a $4 trillion valuation.

Somebody's Got To Pay For All That Power

Speaking on Fox Business, Futurum Group CEO Daniel Newman explained why Microsoft's commitment to cover its own data center energy costs is both the right thing to do and potentially brilliant for shareholders. The company is planning to build somewhere between 80 and 200 new data centers—a staggering number that would put enormous strain on local power grids.

Without Microsoft footing the bill, those costs would likely get passed down to everyday consumers through higher utility rates. "I think it's the right thing to do," Newman said. "If we are going to build 80, 100, 200 new data centers and it's going to incur massive costs that could be passed on to consumers, I think a company like Microsoft, Google, Amazon—they should all step up."

His argument is straightforward: if you're making money off energy-intensive AI, you should pay for the energy. "This is the case… pay your fair share," Newman added. It's corporate responsibility, but it's also self-preservation in an era when affordability is becoming a political flashpoint.

Enterprise AI Is The Real Story

Microsoft shares have had a rough stretch lately, dropping from around $530 to about $460. That's a decline that might worry some investors, but Newman isn't among them. He's calling the dip temporary and predicting a comeback that takes the company's market cap back above $4 trillion.

"This is a company with, again, many deep moats in their various businesses, and I like that they're very diversified," Newman explained. His primary catalyst for the recovery? "Enterprise AI" as a "massive theme for 2026."

While consumer-facing AI gets most of the headlines, Newman's betting that businesses adopting AI tools at scale will be the real money maker. And Microsoft, with its Azure cloud platform and suite of enterprise software, is positioned to capture a significant chunk of that market.

Politics And Power Bills

Newman also highlighted something that often gets overlooked in market analysis: the political dimension. He predicted that "affordability is going to be a big item on the ballot in 2026," creating rare bipartisan agreement between Democrats and Republicans on kitchen-table economic issues.

By covering utility costs proactively, Microsoft avoids becoming a political target in debates about rising living expenses. It's smart positioning in a climate where tech companies are already under scrutiny for everything from monopoly power to content moderation.

The Numbers Right Now

Shares of MSFT have dropped 5.18% in 2026 so far. They're also down 9.18% over the last six months, though still up 7.76% over the past year. The stock was up 0.42% in premarket trading on Thursday.

The company maintains a weaker price trend over the short, medium, and long terms, though it scores well on quality rankings according to market data. Newman clearly thinks the current weakness is a buying opportunity for those willing to bet on the Enterprise AI thesis playing out over the next year or two.