Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Stake Lowered by Norris Perne & French LLP MI

Key Points

• Norris Perne & French LLP MI reduced its stake in Microsoft by 0.3%, holding 225,110 shares worth approximately $84.5 million, making it the firm's largest position.
• In recent transactions, executive vice presidents sold significant shares, including Amy Coleman selling 13,243 shares valued at nearly $6 million, indicating a noticeable decrease in their ownership percentages.
• Microsoft's recent earnings report exceeded expectations with $3.46 EPS and revenues of $70.07 billion, while the company also announced a $0.83 quarterly dividend to be paid on September 11th.

Norris Perne & French LLP MI trimmed its stake in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 0.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 225,110 shares of the software giant's stock after selling 691 shares during the quarter. Microsoft makes up 6.3% of Norris Perne & French LLP MI's investment portfolio, making the stock its largest position. Norris Perne & French LLP MI's holdings in Microsoft were worth $84,504,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on MSFT. Citigroup raised their target price on Microsoft from $605.00 to $613.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Mizuho raised their target price on Microsoft from $500.00 to $540.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Guggenheim restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen cut Microsoft from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $525.00 target price on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $551.21.

Microsoft Stock Performance

Shares of MSFT traded up $2.83 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $513.71. The stock had a trading volume of 19,103,456 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,594,816. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.36. Microsoft Corporation has a 12 month low of $344.79 and a 12 month high of $518.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.82 trillion, a PE ratio of 39.70, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $483.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $431.52.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The software giant reported $3.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.22 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $70.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $68.54 billion. Microsoft had a return on equity of 32.74% and a net margin of 35.79%. Microsoft's revenue was up 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.94 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Microsoft Corporation will post 13.08 EPS for the current year.

Microsoft Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. 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%.

Insider Activity at Microsoft

In other news, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 21,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $453.77, for a total value of $9,756,055.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 134,888 shares of the company's stock, valued at $61,208,127.76. This represents a 13.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Takeshi Numoto sold 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $463.00, for a total value of $1,389,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,930 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $20,339,590. This trade represents a 6.39% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 135,743 shares of company stock valued at $60,224,683 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

Microsoft Profile

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.