Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA grew its stake in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT – Free Report) by 35.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 22,364 shares of the software giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,905 shares during the period. Microsoft accounts for about 3.4% of Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA’s holdings in Microsoft were worth $8,342,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MSFT. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Microsoft during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,338,370,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its position in shares of Microsoft by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 64,375,360 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $24,013,297,000 after buying an additional 543,172 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in shares of Microsoft during the 2nd quarter worth $18,306,443,000. Amundi grew its position in shares of Microsoft by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 46,694,778 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $17,418,076,000 after buying an additional 5,019,702 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Microsoft by 10.5% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 29,323,744 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $10,852,884,000 after buying an additional 2,784,809 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wolfe Research upgraded Microsoft from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. UBS Group set a $700.00 price objective on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. DA Davidson increased their target price on shares of Microsoft from $550.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. BMO Capital Markets set a $610.00 target price on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of Microsoft from $570.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-five have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Microsoft currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $609.54.
Insider Activity
In other news, 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 transaction, the chief executive officer owned 486,763 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $244,092,173.98. The trade was a 15.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible 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 business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.42, for a total transaction of $3,984,293.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 555,396 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $302,924,086.32. This trade represents a 1.30% decrease in their position. 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. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 135,504 shares of company stock valued at $68,138,024. Insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.
Microsoft Trading Up 6.7%
Shares of NASDAQ:MSFT opened at $555.80 on Thursday. Microsoft Corporation has a 12-month low of $349.20 and a 12-month high of $559.15. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $515.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $439.42. The company has a market capitalization of $4.13 trillion, a PE ratio of 29.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The software giant reported $4.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.72 by $0.17. Microsoft had a return on equity of 31.28% and a net margin of 41.17%. The firm had revenue of $92.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.62 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.13 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 18.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Microsoft Corporation will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Microsoft Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 19th. This is a positive change from Microsoft’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Microsoft’s payout ratio is currently 19.00%.
Microsoft News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Cloud and AI results supported the rally. Microsoft’s fiscal first-quarter revenue rose 19% year over year to $92.28 billion, beating estimates, while Azure growth accelerated and AI adoption continued to expand. Reports also highlighted a $677 billion commercial backlog as evidence of future demand. Article: MSFT Q1 Earnings Call Highlights Azure Growth and AI Spending
- Positive Sentiment: Broader market strength lifted mega-cap technology shares. Microsoft joined a post-election rebound as investors rotated back into AI leaders; the company also reached a record high during the session. Article: Microsoft Stock Hits Record High as Midterm Results Boost AI Infrastructure Bets
- Positive Sentiment: New analytics tools target AI-assisted shopping. Microsoft added features to Clarity that help merchants track how AI agents interact with websites and apps, extending the company’s offerings for businesses adopting agentic AI. Article: Microsoft Clarity Helps Merchants Welcome AI Shopping Agents
- Neutral Sentiment: Microsoft disclosed a $25 billion senior-notes offering. The debt issuance provides financing flexibility, but also adds borrowing and interest obligations. Article: Microsoft Announces $25 Billion Senior Notes Offering
- Negative Sentiment: AI investment remains a key risk. Analysts and commentary flagged substantial infrastructure spending, possible pressure on free cash flow and margins, and political calls for tighter data-center rules that could constrain future expansion. Article: Microsoft: Don’t Get Too Excited About Its Positive FCF
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is a global technology company that develops software, cloud services, devices and digital platforms. Its products and services are used by consumers, businesses, governments and educational institutions worldwide.
The company’s principal offerings include the Windows operating system; Microsoft 365 productivity applications such as Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook; Azure cloud computing and infrastructure services; Dynamics business applications; and enterprise security solutions.
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