Microsoft Corporation $MSFT Stock Position Increased by Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC

Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC increased its position in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 74,090 shares of the software giant's stock after purchasing an additional 2,510 shares during the period. Microsoft accounts for about 1.1% of Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC's holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC's holdings in Microsoft were worth $38,001,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MSFT. Montgomery Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Microsoft in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Frankly Finances LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the second quarter worth about $37,000. PMV Capital Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Microsoft during the second quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Fiduciary Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 37.4% during the second quarter. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. now owns 125 shares of the software giant's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. 71.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Microsoft Trading Up 2.7%

Shares of MSFT opened at $545.18 on Tuesday. Microsoft Corporation has a twelve month low of $349.20 and a twelve month high of $559.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.05 trillion, a P/E ratio of 28.45, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.05. The firm's 50-day moving average is $517.28 and its two-hundred day moving average is $440.69.

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

Microsoft Increases Dividend

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

Microsoft News Summary

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Microsoft news, CEO Satya Nadella sold 86,525 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $501.46, for a total transaction of $43,388,826.50. Following 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Amy Hood sold 7,305 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $545.42, for a total value of $3,984,293.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 555,396 shares in the company, valued at $302,924,086.32. This trade represents a 1.30% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 135,504 shares of company stock worth $68,138,024. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on MSFT. Melius Research raised Microsoft from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $665.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, October 5th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Microsoft from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $440.00 target price on Microsoft in a research note on Monday, September 21st. TD Cowen upped their price target on Microsoft from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $610.00 price objective on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-six have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Microsoft has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $609.54.

Microsoft Company 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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