Boston Trust Walden Corp Cuts Stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Boston Trust Walden Corp lessened its position in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 5.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,182,109 shares of the software giant's stock after selling 71,481 shares during the quarter. Microsoft comprises about 3.2% of Boston Trust Walden Corp's investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. Boston Trust Walden Corp's holdings in Microsoft were worth $443,752,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Microsoft during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Newton One Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 66.7% during the 1st quarter. Newton One Investments LLC now owns 75 shares of the software giant's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Microsoft during the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. Fairway Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Microsoft during the 4th quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 150 shares of the software giant's stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Microsoft

In other news, EVP Amy Coleman sold 13,243 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $452.01, for a total value of $5,985,968.43. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at $19,481,631. This trade represents a 23.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 21,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $453.77, for a total transaction of $9,756,055.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 134,888 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $61,208,127.76. This trade represents a 13.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 135,743 shares of company stock valued at $60,224,683 over the last three months. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Microsoft Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MSFT opened at $513.71 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.82 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.04. Microsoft Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $344.79 and a fifty-two week high of $518.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 1.37. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $483.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $431.47.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The software giant reported $3.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.22 by $0.24. Microsoft had a net margin of 35.79% and a return on equity of 32.74%. The business had revenue of $70.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $68.54 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.94 EPS. The company's revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Microsoft Corporation will post 13.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Microsoft Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be issued a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.65%. Microsoft's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.66%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MSFT shares. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $550.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $581.00 target price (up from $512.00) on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Microsoft from $475.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Microsoft from $480.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Microsoft from $465.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Microsoft has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $551.21.

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions worldwide. The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers office, exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft viva, and Microsoft 365 copilot; and office consumer services, such as Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, Office licensed on-premises, and other office services.

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