Gradient Investments LLC Sells 22,552 Shares of Microsoft Corporation $MSFT

Gradient Investments LLC decreased its holdings in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 282,382 shares of the software giant's stock after selling 22,552 shares during the period. Microsoft accounts for about 2.1% of Gradient Investments LLC's holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Gradient Investments LLC's holdings in Microsoft were worth $144,834,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Microsoft by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 315,653,206 shares of the software giant's stock valued at $117,744,959,000 after buying an additional 8,944,917 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the second quarter valued at about $27,338,370,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 0.9% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 64,375,360 shares of the software giant's stock worth $24,013,297,000 after buying an additional 543,172 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth about $18,306,443,000. Finally, Amundi boosted its position in shares of Microsoft by 12.0% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 46,694,778 shares of the software giant's stock valued at $17,418,076,000 after acquiring an additional 5,019,702 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Satya Nadella sold 86,525 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $501.46, for a total value of $43,388,826.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 486,763 shares in the company, valued at approximately $244,092,173.98. The trade was a 15.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Amy Hood sold 41,674 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $498.27, for a total transaction of $20,764,903.98. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 533,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at $265,888,830.48. This trade represents a 7.24% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 135,504 shares of company stock worth $68,138,024 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

Microsoft Stock Performance

NASDAQ MSFT opened at $545.18 on Tuesday. Microsoft Corporation has a 52-week low of $349.20 and a 52-week high of $559.15. The company has a fifty day moving average of $517.28 and a 200-day moving average of $440.69. The company has a market capitalization of $4.05 trillion, a P/E ratio of 28.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.22.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The software giant reported $4.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.72 by $0.17. Microsoft had a return on equity of 31.28% and a net margin of 41.17%. The business had revenue of $92.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $90.62 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.13 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Microsoft Corporation will post 19.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Microsoft Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 19th. This is an increase from Microsoft's previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Microsoft's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.00%.

Trending Headlines about Microsoft

Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Northern Trust introduced an AI-powered client-onboarding agent running on Microsoft Azure, with Excel and SharePoint integration. The reported reductions in data-preparation time and strong data-quality results illustrate potential enterprise demand for Microsoft’s cloud and AI tools. Microsoft stock and Northern Trust AI agent
• Neutral Sentiment: Microsoft is reportedly becoming more selective about outside AI data-center and neocloud arrangements, including not renewing a cloud contract involving Oracle. Tighter spending could support cash flow, but changes to its infrastructure plans may also raise questions about capacity and execution. Microsoft AI data-center deals
• Negative Sentiment: AI investment remains a key risk: one report said Microsoft’s free cash flow over the last four quarters was about 23% below the prior-year period, amid rising infrastructure spending. A large reported backlog signals demand, but investors will look for that spending to translate into returns. Microsoft backlog, AI capex and neocloud ties
• Negative Sentiment: B&D White Capital, a fund with roughly $1.03 billion in assets, reported selling all its Microsoft shares in the third quarter. The filing is backward-looking and does not establish the fund’s reason for selling, but it may add to near-term sentiment concerns. B&D White Capital share sale

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on MSFT shares. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. KeyCorp set a $625.00 price target on shares of Microsoft in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Microsoft from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Microsoft from $510.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, William Blair initiated coverage on Microsoft in a research report on Monday, October 5th. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-six have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $609.54.

Microsoft Profile

Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company that develops software, cloud services, devices, and digital solutions for consumers, businesses, and public-sector organizations. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.

Its products and services include the Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 productivity applications, Azure cloud computing, LinkedIn, GitHub, Surface devices, and Xbox gaming products and services. Microsoft also provides business software, cybersecurity tools, and artificial intelligence technologies.

Microsoft serves customers around the world through its products, online platforms, and network of business partners.

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