microsoft corp stock: comprehensive guide
Microsoft Corporation stock (MSFT)
Quick intro: microsoft corp stock refers to the publicly traded common equity of Microsoft Corporation (ticker: MSFT) listed on the NASDAQ. This guide explains what the stock represents, where to find quotes and filings, the company’s financial profile, market context as of Jan 28, 2026, and practical options for gaining exposure (including trading via Bitget).
Overview
microsoft corp stock is the common share class of Microsoft Corporation, a U.S.-listed mega-cap technology company. Investors and market participants use microsoft corp stock for long-term investment, portfolio indexing, active trading, and derivatives exposure. As one of the largest companies by market capitalization, microsoft corp stock is frequently included in major indices and large-cap technology ETFs and is widely covered by market data providers and analysts.
This article covers:
- Where microsoft corp stock trades and how to read typical market data
- Company background and revenue drivers
- Financials, ratios and dividend/shareholder-return programs
- Analyst coverage, derivatives and instruments that provide exposure
- Recent market context and events that could influence the stock (as of Jan 28, 2026)
- Practical guidance on how to access microsoft corp stock via regulated platforms and Bitget
Ticker and listing details
- Ticker symbol: MSFT
- Primary exchange: NASDAQ (U.S.)
- Trading currency: U.S. dollars (USD)
- Share class: Common stock (ordinary voting shares)
- Typical trading hours: Regular session 09:30–16:00 ET; pre-market/post-market sessions vary by platform
- Common market-data providers: MarketWatch, Bloomberg, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Nasdaq, and Microsoft Investor Relations
Information about microsoft corp stock price, market capitalization and liquidity is available through the sources above; note many platforms show delayed quotes by default and label real-time vs delayed data explicitly.
Trading and market data
Where to find quotes and what to expect:
- Real-time vs delayed: Exchanges and licensed data vendors provide real-time feeds; many public websites show delayed quotes unless you subscribe. Check the data timestamp on any quote.
- Typical market data fields: last traded price, change (absolute/percent), bid/ask, intraday high/low, 52-week range, volume, average volume, market cap, P/E, dividend yield.
- Chart timeframes: intraday (1–7 days), short-term (1–3 months), medium-term (1–3 years), long-term (5–10+ years). Interactive charts and downloadable historical data are available via major data providers.
As of Jan 28, 2026, market coverage referenced that microsoft corp stock was trading near reported after-hours and intraday levels—market headlines placed Microsoft among the major companies reporting quarterly results that week. For timestamps and exact pricing, consult Microsoft Investor Relations or licensed market-data vendors.
Price history and performance metrics
Historical price performance for microsoft corp stock is commonly shown with the following metrics:
- 52-week range (low/high)
- Year-to-date (YTD) return and trailing returns (1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year)
- Total return (price appreciation plus dividends) — important for long-term comparisons
- Earnings per share (EPS) and P/E (price-to-earnings) ratios — both trailing and forward estimates
Data providers such as Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance and Google Finance provide downloadable historical series and charting tools. Analysts and institutional clients often use Bloomberg terminals or brokerage analytics for more granular time-series, adjusted returns, and factor decompositions.
Company background (context for the stock)
Microsoft Corporation operates in three broad segments that drive revenue and thus influence microsoft corp stock performance:
- Productivity and Business Processes — software and services including Office productivity suites, LinkedIn, and related offerings.
- Intelligent Cloud — Azure cloud services, server products, GitHub and enterprise offerings.
- More Personal Computing — Windows OS, Surface devices, gaming (including Xbox) and search/advertising.
Microsoft’s transition toward cloud services and investments in artificial intelligence have been recurring themes in public coverage and analyst commentary. Strategic initiatives—such as second-generation AI chips and partnerships—affect investor expectations and therefore microsoft corp stock sentiment.
Financials and fundamentals
Key sources of verified financial disclosure for microsoft corp stock include Microsoft’s quarterly (10-Q) and annual (10-K) SEC filings and investor-relations releases. Typical financial data to review:
- Revenue, net income, and operating income (quarterly and annual)
- Earnings per share (EPS) — GAAP and non-GAAP (adjusted)
- Gross, operating and net margins
- Balance sheet highlights: cash & equivalents, marketable securities, total debt, shareholders’ equity
- Free cash flow and cash returned to shareholders via dividends and buybacks
As a large, liquid name, microsoft corp stock’s fundamentals are closely analyzed for growth, margins and cash generation. Investors often compare trends in Intelligent Cloud revenue and Azure growth rates with broader margins to assess sustainability.
Key financial ratios and metrics
Commonly referenced metrics for microsoft corp stock:
- Market capitalization — total equity market value (shares outstanding × share price)
- Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio — trailing and forward
- Earnings per share (EPS)
- Dividend per share and dividend yield
- Beta — measure of volatility vs the market
- Return on equity (ROE) and return on invested capital (ROIC)
Interpretation: these ratios contextualize valuation (P/E), income return (dividend yield), and risk (beta). Use multiple periods and analyst consensus to avoid over-reliance on single snapshots.
Corporate actions and shareholder returns
microsoft corp stock has a history of returning capital via dividends and share repurchases. Key shareholder-return items to track:
- Dividend policy and recent dividend history — amount, frequency and yield
- Stock splits — past splits affect historical per-share figures; check adjusted share counts when analyzing long-term data
- Share repurchase programs — announcement size and execution rate affect share count and EPS accretion
- Dividend reinvestment options — direct purchase plans or broker DRIP programs may be available in some jurisdictions
All corporate action details are disclosed in Microsoft’s investor-relations releases and SEC filings; verify announcements and effective dates from those primary sources.
Ownership and shareholder structure
Ownership of microsoft corp stock is concentrated among institutional investors, mutual funds, pension funds, and ETFs, with a smaller percentage held by retail investors and insiders. Points to consider:
- Major institutional holders (by reported filings) typically include large asset managers and index funds — these can account for a large portion of the float.
- Insider ownership (executives and directors) is disclosed in SEC Form 4 filings and annual reports.
- Public float and shares outstanding: monitor filings for changes due to buybacks or secondary issuances.
- Short interest trends: tracked by exchanges and data vendors; elevated short interest can add volatility but should be interpreted alongside liquidity and stock borrow costs.
Sources for ownership data include Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance institutional-holdings pages, and Microsoft’s filings.
Analyst coverage and market sentiment
microsoft corp stock is heavily covered by sell-side analysts and independent research firms. Coverage includes earnings estimates, target-price ranges and buy/hold/sell recommendations. Media outlets (e.g., CNBC, Bloomberg, MarketWatch) report analyst actions which can influence short-term sentiment.
Price targets and rating breakdowns
Common presentation of analyst coverage includes the number and proportion of buy/hold/sell ratings and a range/consensus of 12-month price targets. When citing analyst data:
- Note the number of contributors and the date of the consensus
- Be aware of potential conflicts of interest (brokerage firms that provide investment banking services)
- Treat price targets as forward-looking estimates, not guarantees
As of Jan 28, 2026, major earnings events (including Microsoft’s quarterly report) were part of the market narrative. Press coverage and analyst updates around earnings can move microsoft corp stock intraday and in subsequent sessions.
Trading instruments and derivatives
Ways to get exposure to microsoft corp stock:
- Direct common shares (MSFT) purchased via a brokerage account
- ETFs that include a meaningful MSFT weighting — useful for diversified exposure
- Options (calls and puts) on MSFT — used for hedging, income, or leverage; options require understanding of expiry, strike, implied volatility, and margin rules
- Contracts for difference (CFDs) on some platforms — these are derivative exposures and may be limited by jurisdiction
- Margin trading and short selling — subject to broker rules, margin requirements, and borrowing availability
If you plan to trade derivatives, ensure you understand product mechanics and platform-specific rules. For investors seeking a regulated and user-friendly trading venue, Bitget provides access to equities trading services (where available under local regulation) and also offers the Bitget Wallet for secure custody of crypto assets. For trading microsoft corp stock specifically, use a regulated brokerage that offers U.S. equities and check whether Bitget’s equities offering is accessible in your jurisdiction.
Historical milestones affecting the stock
Key milestones that historically moved microsoft corp stock include:
- IPO and major corporate restructurings
- Major product launches (Windows versions, Office, Azure, Surface, Xbox)
- Significant acquisitions or divestitures
- Large partnerships or technology investments (notably cloud, AI and developer tools)
- Major regulatory or legal developments
- Earnings beats and misses relative to analyst expectations
Recent coverage highlighted Microsoft’s efforts in AI infrastructure, including second-generation AI chips and partnerships that affect expectations for cloud-margin expansion and capital intensity.
Regulatory, legal and risk factors
Risks that can affect microsoft corp stock include:
- Regulatory scrutiny and potential antitrust or competition actions
- Macroeconomic risks: interest-rate shifts, inflation, and currency movements
- Sector rotation and investor preference between value and growth styles
- Company-specific operational risks: product execution, supply-chain pressures and large-scale security incidents
- Geopolitical or trade tensions that affect global operations or supply chains
Be mindful that market moves often reflect a combination of macro drivers (e.g., central-bank rate decisions) and company-specific news (earnings, product updates).
Comparative performance
Benchmarks and peers commonly used to evaluate microsoft corp stock:
- Broad indices: S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite
- Direct peers: other large-cap technology firms in the same cohort (for comparative valuation and growth metrics)
- Sector and industry indices: Technology sector indices and cloud/computing sub-indices
Relative-performance analysis typically uses total-return comparisons over multiple horizons and risk-adjusted metrics to assess whether microsoft corp stock is outperforming or lagging its peers.
Market context and recent news (as of Jan 28, 2026)
As of Jan 28, 2026, market reports from AP, Bloomberg, Benzinga and other outlets described a mixed but broadly resilient equity market heading into a Federal Reserve decision. Specifically:
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As of Jan 28, 2026, according to AP, Asian shares were mixed while the S&P 500 ticked to a record; the U.S. dollar had weakened to its lowest level against a basket of currencies since 2022, prompting capital flows into safe-haven assets including gold and silver. (Source: AP Business, Jan 28, 2026)
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Bloomberg and Benzinga noted that several major technology companies, including Microsoft, were scheduled to report quarterly earnings that week; investor attention concentrated on how AI and cloud investments were translating into revenue and margins. (Source: Bloomberg/Benzinga, Jan 28, 2026)
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Market metrics reported by news outlets on Jan 28, 2026 included: S&P 500 at 6,978.60, Nasdaq Composite at 23,817.10 and notable individual quotes with Microsoft shares trading around the reported intraday/after-hours values near $480–$485 per share in available coverage. (Sources: Benzinga, AP, CNN Business, Jan 28, 2026)
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Precious metals rallied amid dollar weakness: gold and silver prices rose sharply as some investors sought perceived safety. Currency moves, including a weaker dollar versus the yen and euro, were described as an influence on multinational exporters and broader market flows. (Source: AP, Jan 28, 2026)
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Market commentary emphasized that the Federal Reserve was widely expected to hold its policy rate steady in the immediate announcement, with traders looking ahead to future rate cuts later in the year as inflation dynamics evolve. This interest-rate backdrop influences discount rates used in equity valuations, including for microsoft corp stock. (Source: AP/Bloomberg, Jan 28, 2026)
Contextual note: market headlines and price levels are time-sensitive. For up-to-the-minute pricing and timestamped data for microsoft corp stock, consult Microsoft Investor Relations, the NASDAQ exchange, or licensed market-data vendors.
How to buy and trade Microsoft stock
Practical steps and considerations for acquiring microsoft corp stock:
- Choose a regulated brokerage or trading platform that offers U.S. equities in your jurisdiction; ensure the platform discloses fees and order-routing practices.
- Open the appropriate account type (individual, joint, retirement accounts where supported).
- Deposit funds and verify identity per the broker’s onboarding procedures.
- Use the ticker MSFT to locate microsoft corp stock. Review real-time or delayed quotes and the order book if available.
- Common order types: market order, limit order, stop order, stop-limit order. Understand execution and potential slippage for each order type.
- Consider settlement cycles and tax reporting obligations in your jurisdiction.
If you prefer a single platform that integrates equities access with other digital-asset services, consider Bitget’s regulated equities offering (subject to availability by jurisdiction) and use Bitget Wallet for secure custody of crypto holdings. Always verify that a platform is licensed for U.S. equities or local securities before transacting.
Important: this section is informational. It is not investment advice.
Research and data sources
Primary sources for microsoft corp stock data and filings:
- Microsoft Investor Relations and official SEC filings (10-Q, 10-K, 8-K)
- Exchange data (NASDAQ) and market-data providers (Bloomberg, MarketWatch, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Google Finance)
- News and market context from reputable outlets (AP, Bloomberg, Benzinga, CNN Business)
When referencing news coverage, this guide used reports current as of Jan 28, 2026. Verify timestamps and data delays in any secondary source before acting on the information.
Historical items and selected timeline
- IPO and listing on the NASDAQ: foundational event for microsoft corp stock
- Major product cycles and the shift to cloud computing: transformed revenue composition and investor expectations
- Recurring dividend initiations, increases and sizable share-repurchase programs: material to shareholder returns
- Strategic investments in AI and custom silicon: recent focus that shapes growth forecasts and analyst sentiment
Each milestone above has produced measurable impacts on microsoft corp stock price behavior; consult Microsoft’s filings and press archives for exact dates and details.
See also
- Microsoft Corporation (company overview)
- NASDAQ stock exchange
- Major ETFs with significant MSFT weighting
- List of largest U.S. companies by market capitalization
References
- Microsoft Investor Relations filings and announcements (SEC 10-Q/10-K/8-K)
- Market data and quotes: MarketWatch, Bloomberg, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Nasdaq
- News coverage and market context: AP Business, Bloomberg, Benzinga, CNN Business (all cited coverage dated Jan 28, 2026 for context in this guide)
External links and data providers (names only, no hyperlinks)
- Microsoft Investor Relations
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR filings)
- NASDAQ market data
- Bloomberg
- MarketWatch
- Yahoo Finance
- Google Finance
- CNBC
- Bitget (for trading services and Bitget Wallet)
Practical checklist for readers
- Verify microsoft corp stock ticker (MSFT) and confirm exchange (NASDAQ) before trading
- Check data timestamps and whether quotes are real-time or delayed
- Review the latest 10-Q/10-K for verified financial metrics
- Monitor analyst updates around earnings events and major product announcements
- If you trade options or other derivatives on microsoft corp stock, ensure you understand margin, expiry and payoff structures
- Use regulated platforms (for example, Bitget where available and licensed) and secure custody solutions such as Bitget Wallet for digital-asset needs
Notes on neutrality and data timeliness
This guide provides factual descriptions and procedural information related to microsoft corp stock. It does not provide investment recommendations or predictions. Market data and news citations are time sensitive — the market context described in this article is based on reports and coverage current as of Jan 28, 2026. For real-time prices and the most recent disclosures, consult the original filings and licensed market-data vendors.
Further exploration
To deepen your understanding of microsoft corp stock, review Microsoft’s latest investor presentation and SEC filings, watch earnings-call replays for management commentary on cloud and AI initiatives, and compare multi-year financial trends to peers and the overall technology sector. For platform access and an integrated interface to trade or monitor equities alongside digital assets, explore Bitget’s services and the Bitget Wallet according to local availability and regulatory status.
Ready to explore data and trading options for microsoft corp stock? Check the latest investor filings and market-data snapshots, and consider a regulated trading platform such as Bitget where available to access U.S. equities. For more on custody and wallet options, see Bitget Wallet documentation.
