BlackRock Fund Advisors lowered its position in Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 2.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 102,879,008 shares of the software giant’s stock after selling 2,575,528 shares during the period. Microsoft Corp. accounts for about 1.3% of BlackRock Fund Advisors’ investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. BlackRock Fund Advisors owned about 1.30% of Microsoft Corp. worth $5,682,008,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Farmers Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Microsoft Corp. by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Farmers Trust Co. now owns 160,289 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $8,893,000 after buying an additional 554 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio increased its stake in shares of Microsoft Corp. by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 7,508,028 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $416,545,000 after buying an additional 396,346 shares in the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Microsoft Corp. by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 1,013,552 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $56,232,000 after buying an additional 23,638 shares in the last quarter. Hexavest Inc. increased its stake in shares of Microsoft Corp. by 8.1% in the fourth quarter. Hexavest Inc. now owns 2,757,641 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $152,994,000 after buying an additional 207,745 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tiedemann Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Microsoft Corp. by 8.4% in the fourth quarter. Tiedemann Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,711 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $1,038,000 after buying an additional 1,451 shares in the last quarter.
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) traded up 0.05% during trading on Tuesday, reaching $56.76. 28,078,995 shares of the company were exchanged. Microsoft Corp. has a 1-year low of $39.72 and a 1-year high of $57.29. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $52.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $443.18 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.03.
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 16th.
Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft Corp. in a research note on Saturday, April 2nd. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $57.00 price target on shares of Microsoft Corp. in a research note on Sunday, July 17th. Nomura Holdings Inc. reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft Corp. in a research note on Sunday, July 17th. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft Corp. in a research note on Saturday, April 23rd. Finally, Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $62.00 price target on shares of Microsoft Corp. in a research note on Saturday, April 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating and twenty-two have issued a buy rating to the company. The company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $59.07.
In related news, Director William H. Gates III sold 2,500,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.94, for a total value of $139,850,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CMO Christopher C. Capossela sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.31, for a total transaction of $301,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 278,549 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,013,800.19. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.
Microsoft Corporation is engaged in developing, licensing and supporting a range of software products and services. The Company also designs and sells hardware, and delivers online advertising to the customers. The Company operates in five segments: Devices and Consumer (D&C) Licensing, D&C Hardware, D&C Other, Commercial Licensing, and Commercial Other.
