Vista Capital Partners Inc. grew its stake in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT – Free Report) by 4.8% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 31,309 shares of the software giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,420 shares during the period. Microsoft accounts for 1.5% of Vista Capital Partners Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Vista Capital Partners Inc.’s holdings in Microsoft were worth $15,142,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 717,942,580 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $347,211,391,000 after purchasing an additional 15,955,898 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 1.1% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 299,196,519 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $148,823,341,000 after purchasing an additional 3,166,275 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 2.0% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 179,001,751 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $88,714,256,000 after purchasing an additional 3,532,054 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Microsoft in the second quarter worth $50,493,678,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in Microsoft by 16.1% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 83,787,746 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $35,316,535,000 after purchasing an additional 11,600,470 shares in the last quarter. 71.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Activity
In related news, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 12,321 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $409.52, for a total value of $5,045,695.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 137,933 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $56,486,322.16. This represents a 8.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Amy Coleman sold 1,262 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $411.34, for a total transaction of $519,111.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 46,003 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $18,922,874.02. This trade represents a 2.67% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.
Microsoft Stock Up 2.3%
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 29th. The software giant reported $4.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.06 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $82.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $81.44 billion. Microsoft had a net margin of 39.34% and a return on equity of 31.94%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 18.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.46 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Microsoft Corporation will post 16.76 earnings per share for the current year.
Microsoft Announces Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Microsoft’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.67%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MSFT. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $525.00 price objective (up from $450.00) on shares of Microsoft in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $575.00 to $505.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on shares of Microsoft in a report on Monday. They issued a “market outperform” rating and a $550.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Microsoft from $675.00 to $575.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Forty research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $561.20.
Get Our Latest Analysis on MSFT
Key Microsoft News
Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Microsoft is expected to showcase new AI tools for developers at its Build conference, including software for PCs and the cloud, which could reinforce its lead in enterprise AI and cloud computing. Microsoft expected to showcase new PC, cloud AI tools at developer conference
- Positive Sentiment: Microsoft’s AI momentum remains a major bullish theme, with reports highlighting Copilot adoption and accelerating Azure growth as key drivers for the stock. The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Microsoft, Dell, Thermo Fisher,Village Super Market and Comstock
- Positive Sentiment: Shares rose after Nvidia unveiled an AI-focused PC chip developed with Microsoft, reinforcing optimism around Microsoft’s Windows and AI PC ecosystem. Microsoft, Dell, and HP stocks rise as Nvidia announces new AI chip for personal computers
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts and commentators are pointing to Microsoft as a top long-term AI beneficiary, with upbeat notes on its cloud franchise and software comeback. Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Extends Rally as Analysts Back ‘Compelling Vision of AI Sovereignty’
- Neutral Sentiment: Microsoft Build 2026 is set to begin, and investors are watching for product announcements that could move the stock further. Dear Microsoft Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for June 2
- Neutral Sentiment: Some coverage noted internal employee-sentiment changes and higher performance pressure, but this appears more like a background operating issue than a near-term stock driver. Internal Microsoft employee surveys reveal how sentiment is changing inside the software giant
- Negative Sentiment: Investor concern persists around insider selling, which can temper enthusiasm even as the AI narrative improves. Microsoft Stock Analysis: Buy or Sell?
Microsoft Profile
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft develops, licenses and supports a broad range of software products, services and devices for consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. Its operations span personal computing, productivity software, cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, developer tools and gaming.
Microsoft’s product portfolio includes the Windows operating system and the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity and collaboration tools (Office apps, Outlook, Teams).
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