IFM Investors Pty Ltd Sells 3,130 Shares of Microsoft Corporation $MSFT

IFM Investors Pty Ltd cut its holdings in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 0.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,379,214 shares of the software giant’s stock after selling 3,130 shares during the period. Microsoft makes up 6.2% of IFM Investors Pty Ltd’s holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. IFM Investors Pty Ltd’s holdings in Microsoft were worth $705,413,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. WFA Asset Management Corp raised its stake in Microsoft by 27.0% in the first quarter. WFA Asset Management Corp now owns 1,016 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $427,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. increased its holdings in Microsoft by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 12,658 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $5,658,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Discipline Wealth Solutions LLC increased its holdings in Microsoft by 410.4% in the 3rd quarter. Discipline Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 2,659 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $1,144,000 after buying an additional 2,138 shares during the period. Wealth Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Microsoft by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Group Ltd. now owns 2,374 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Finally, Eagle Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Microsoft by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 23,097 shares of the software giant’s stock worth $9,735,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. 71.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on MSFT shares. Oppenheimer restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. DZ Bank reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Raymond James Financial reduced their price objective on Microsoft from $630.00 to $600.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore ISI set a $640.00 target price on Microsoft in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Microsoft from $650.00 to $625.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-seven have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $631.03.

Insider Activity at Microsoft

In related news, EVP Takeshi Numoto sold 2,850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $478.72, for a total transaction of $1,364,352.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 55,782 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $26,703,959.04. This trade represents a 4.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Bradford L. Smith sold 38,500 shares of Microsoft stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $518.64, for a total value of $19,967,640.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 461,597 shares in the company, valued at $239,402,668.08. The trade was a 7.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 54,100 shares of company stock worth $27,598,872 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Microsoft Stock Performance

NASDAQ:MSFT opened at $483.62 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $494.48 and its 200-day moving average is $503.72. Microsoft Corporation has a 1-year low of $344.79 and a 1-year high of $555.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The stock has a market cap of $3.59 trillion, a P/E ratio of 34.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.07.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The software giant reported $4.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.65 by $0.48. Microsoft had a net margin of 35.71% and a return on equity of 32.45%. The business had revenue of $77.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $75.49 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Microsoft Corporation will post 13.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Microsoft Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 19th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 19th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Microsoft’s payout ratio is currently 25.89%.

Microsoft News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Microsoft this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Broad Wall Street bullishness: dozens of analysts rate MSFT a buy, with a recent median price target near $639 — supporting upside expectations and helping underpin demand from institutional investors. Wall Street Says Microsoft Is a ‘Strong Buy.’ Let’s Look at Who Owns MSFT Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: AI-driven upside: multiple forecasts (including a 30% upside scenario) and analyst narrative center on Copilot/Azure AI monetization as the primary catalyst for revenue and multiple expansion in 2026. Investors buying AI growth stories may support the stock. Microsoft stock forecast: Why AI keeps 30% upside on the table for MSFT in 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Street narratives argue Microsoft could reach ~$5 trillion market value if AI monetization, Azure traction and margin expansion continue — a storyline that attracts long-term growth investors. Why analysts think this company could touch $5 trillion valuation in early 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed positioning and ownership flows: large institutional rebalances are visible — some firms (e.g., UBS and BlackRock) added material shares while others trimmed — meaning volume/flow dynamics can cause short-term volatility even as the long-term story remains intact. Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Opinions on AI and Cloud Expansion
• Neutral Sentiment: “Lagging the market” vs. moat debate: commentary notes MSFT underperformed the S&P in 2025 but highlights entrenched enterprise switching costs and recurring revenue that can stabilize the stock — impact depends on execution and visible Copilot monetization. Microsoft Is Lagging the Market—But Its Moat May Matter More in 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling and valuation concerns: recent data shows notable insider sales and recurring investor questions about MSFT’s premium multiple and heavy AI capex — these factors can pressure the stock if investors want clearer, near-term proof of AI revenue gains. Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Opinions on AI and Cloud Expansion
• Negative Sentiment: Competition and macro/flow risks: escalating AI buildouts from rivals (e.g., xAI/others) and the company’s large near-term capex plan raise investor scrutiny on timing of returns — any slowdown in visible AI monetization or broader market rotations can drive further weakness. Elon Musk Says xAI Purchased Third Building For Massive AI Expansion

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).