Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) EVP Takeshi Numoto Sells 2,500 Shares of Stock

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) EVP Takeshi Numoto sold 2,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $412.45, for a total value of $1,031,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 51,968 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,434,201.60. This represents a 4.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Microsoft Stock Down 1.5%

NASDAQ MSFT opened at $397.36 on Thursday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $410.24 and its 200 day moving average is $429.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Microsoft Corporation has a 12 month low of $356.28 and a 12 month high of $555.45. The stock has a market cap of $2.95 trillion, a PE ratio of 23.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.11.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The software giant reported $4.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.06 by $0.21. Microsoft had a return on equity of 31.94% and a net margin of 39.34%.The company had revenue of $82.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $81.44 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.46 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Microsoft Corporation will post 16.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Microsoft Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Microsoft’s payout ratio is currently 21.67%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MSFT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. China Renaissance lowered their price target on Microsoft from $630.00 to $550.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 4th. DA Davidson reduced their price objective on Microsoft from $650.00 to $550.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Microsoft in a research note on Monday, June 1st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on Microsoft in a research note on Monday, June 1st. They issued a “market outperform” rating on the stock. Forty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $561.20.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Microsoft

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BLVD Private Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Microsoft by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. BLVD Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,169 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $1,641,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Magnolia Capital Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Microsoft by 0.3% during the third quarter. Magnolia Capital Management Ltd. now owns 6,509 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $3,371,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. ARK & TLK Investments LLC increased its position in shares of Microsoft by 1.0% during the third quarter. ARK & TLK Investments LLC now owns 1,935 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $1,002,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. Rochester Wealth Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Microsoft by 2.9% during the third quarter. Rochester Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 700 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $363,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. Finally, Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC increased its position in shares of Microsoft by 51.3% during the second quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 59 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company’s stock.

Microsoft News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Microsoft continues to win business tied to AI infrastructure, including a new 260 MW solar supply deal for Microsoft’s power needs and fresh coverage highlighting strong Azure/AI demand, which supports the long-term cloud growth story. MN8 Energy Delivers 260 MW of Solar to Microsoft Across Two U.S. Power Markets
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, reinforcing shareholder returns and signaling financial strength. Microsoft announces quarterly dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles remain constructive on Microsoft’s AI strategy, arguing the stock is still a long-term buying opportunity as it expands agentic AI and Copilot across the enterprise. Microsoft Remains A Generational Buying Opportunity In The Agentic AI Era
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Satya Nadella’s comments about using the right AI model for the job may help efficiency, but they also underscore Microsoft’s effort to control rising AI compute costs. Satya Nadella Warns Against AI Overuse
• Neutral Sentiment: Microsoft’s limits on Anthropic’s Claude usage and the scrutiny around AI data-retention policies point to tighter governance around third-party AI tools, but the direct financial impact looks limited for now. Microsoft limits employee use of Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that Xbox is preparing major layoffs and a reset, plus broader gaming margin pressure, add to concerns about cost discipline and slower growth in that segment. Microsoft’s Xbox plans for major layoffs next month
• Negative Sentiment: News that Microsoft is cutting jobs in its Azure unit in China and broader warnings that the AI buildout may be less relentless than expected could weigh on sentiment around near-term AI spending and execution. Microsoft lays off hundreds from Azure unit in China
• Negative Sentiment: Separate commentary about AI data-center math “showing cracks” and rising opportunity cost suggests investors are becoming more cautious about how quickly Microsoft’s heavy AI investments can translate into profit. Wall Street’s $800 Billion AI Data Center Bet Is Showing Cracks

About Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft develops, licenses and supports a broad range of software products, services and devices for consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. Its operations span personal computing, productivity software, cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, developer tools and gaming.

Microsoft’s product portfolio includes the Windows operating system and the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity and collaboration tools (Office apps, Outlook, Teams).