IFM Investors Pty Ltd has slightly reduced its stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) by 0.2% during the third quarter, as reported in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm now holds 1,379,214 shares of Microsoft after selling 3,130 shares within this period, constituting approximately 6.2% of IFM’s overall portfolio. The value of this investment was noted at $705,413,000 at the close of the most recent reporting period.
Other institutional investors have also made notable adjustments to their holdings in Microsoft recently. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake by 2.0% during the second quarter, acquiring an additional 13,691,572 shares, bringing its total to 705,077,786 shares, with a total valuation of approximately $350.7 billion. Similarly, State Street Corp raised its holdings by 1.1%, owning 299,196,519 shares valued at $148.82 billion, and Geode Capital Management LLC also lifted its position by 2.0%, now holding 179,001,751 shares worth about $88.71 billion. Norges Bank entered the fray with a significant new investment valued at approximately $50.5 billion, while Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC notably expanded its holdings by an astonishing 564,387.1%, adding 90,533,328 shares.
Institutional ownership accounts for roughly 71.13% of Microsoft’s stock, highlighting strong confidence from major investors.
In terms of market activity, Microsoft shares opened at $483.62. The stock has experienced a low of $344.79 and a high of $555.45 over the past year. With a market capitalization of $3.59 trillion, Microsoft’s P/E ratio stands at 34.40, reflecting a robust earnings growth outlook. The company reported earnings of $4.13 per share last quarter, exceeding analysts’ expectations, with revenues reaching $77.67 billion.
Analysts continue to be optimistic about Microsoft, as evidenced by recent upgrades in ratings. JPMorgan Chase reiterated a “buy” rating, while Citigroup raised its price target from $682 to $690. The stock currently holds a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” with a target price of $631.03.
Additionally, Microsoft announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, set to be distributed on March 12, with an annual yield of 0.8%. This reflects a solid dividend payout ratio of 25.89%, indicative of Microsoft’s sustainable profitability and shareholder commitment.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft remains a leading global technology provider, delivering a vast array of software products and services. Its strong market presence and positive financial metrics signal a promising outlook for the tech giant.