Microsoft Corporation $MSFT Stock Position Lessened by Whalen Wealth Management Inc.

Whalen Wealth Management Inc. decreased its position in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,095 shares of the software giant’s stock after selling 1,262 shares during the period. Microsoft comprises approximately 2.0% of Whalen Wealth Management Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Whalen Wealth Management Inc.’s holdings in Microsoft were worth $4,665,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MSFT. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of Microsoft during the second quarter valued at about $27,338,370,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth about $18,306,443,000. Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new stake in shares of Microsoft in the second quarter worth about $6,928,664,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in Microsoft during the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,653,812,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in Microsoft during the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,000,706,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.13% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Amy Hood sold 41,674 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $498.27, for a total transaction of $20,764,903.98. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 533,624 shares in the company, valued at $265,888,830.48. The trade was a 7.24% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Satya Nadella sold 86,525 shares of Microsoft 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 sale, the chief executive officer owned 486,763 shares in the company, valued at $244,092,173.98. This represents a 15.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 135,504 shares of company stock valued at $68,138,024. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on MSFT shares. Guggenheim upped their price target on Microsoft from $586.00 to $595.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. UBS Group set a $700.00 price objective on Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. Citizens Jmp boosted their target price on Microsoft from $550.00 to $625.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft in a report on Monday, September 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Microsoft from $575.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-six have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Microsoft currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $609.54.

Microsoft Price Performance

MSFT stock opened at $545.18 on Tuesday. Microsoft Corporation has a 1 year low of $349.20 and a 1 year high of $559.15. The company has a market cap 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 has a 50-day moving average of $517.28 and a 200 day moving average of $440.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.21.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 28th. The software giant reported $4.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.72 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $92.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.62 billion. Microsoft had a net margin of 41.17% and a return on equity of 31.28%. Microsoft’s quarterly revenue was up 18.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.13 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Microsoft Corporation will post 19.92 EPS for the current year.

Microsoft Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 19th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is an increase from Microsoft’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Microsoft’s dividend payout ratio is currently 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

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.