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On Tue, 17 Sept, 8:03 AM UTC
18 Sources
[1]
Microsoft plans new $60 billion buyback, raises dividend 10%
Microsoft has raised its quarterly dividend 10% and unveiled a new $60 billion stock-buyback program, matching the size of a repurchase plan three years ago. The software company said late Monday that shareholders as of Nov. 21 will receive a quarterly dividend of 83 cents a share, compared with the current 75 cents. The share repurchase agreement, which has no expiration date, replaces a buyback program announced in 2021 that was also $60 billion. While the figures are sizable in absolute terms, the buyback agreement represents less than 2% of Microsoft's market value. The Redmond company's shares have gained 31% in the past 12 months, taking its market value to $3.2 trillion as of Monday's close. Microsoft spreads its share purchases over several years, and they totaled about $17 billion in the fiscal year ending in June, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Microsoft's stock has been pushed to new historical highs in the last several months as investors bet on gains from its push into artificial intelligence. The software maker has infused its product line with technology from its partner OpenAI and has touted the tools' abilities to augment business applications, such as Teams, Word and Outlook. Microsoft earlier Monday released a new range of AI tools. Microsoft had $75.5 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Free cash flow in the fiscal fourth quarter was $23.3 billion, the company said in July, "up 18% year-over-year reflecting higher capital expenditures to support our cloud and AI offerings."
[2]
Microsoft boosts S&P 500 with 2.5% rise on new $60 billion buyback plan, quarterly dividend hiked by 10% | Stock Market News
Microsoft Corp. announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend and launched a new $60 billion stock buyback program, matching the size of its repurchase plan from three years ago. Microsoft Corp. announced a 10 per cent increase in its quarterly dividend and introduced a new $60 billion stock buyback program, matching the scale of its repurchase plan from three years ago. The company's shares rose by up to 2.4 per cent following the news. In a statement late Monday, the tech giant revealed that shareholders as of November 21 will receive a quarterly dividend of 83 cents per share, up from the current 75 cents. The new share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, replaces the $60 billion buyback plan announced in 2021. Although the figures are substantial in absolute terms, the buyback agreement accounts for less than 2 per cent of Microsoft's total market value. Shares of the Redmond, Washington-based company have risen by 31 per cent over the past 12 months, bringing its market capitalization to $3.2 trillion as of Monday's close. Microsoft typically spreads its share repurchases over several years, with approximately $17 billion spent on buybacks in the fiscal year ending in June, according to Bloomberg data. As of 10:02 a.m. New York time, Microsoft's shares were up 1.7 per cent at $438.74. The company has integrated AI technology from its partner OpenAI into its product suite, promoting the tools' ability to enhance business applications such as Teams, Word, and Outlook. On Monday, Microsoft also unveiled a new suite of AI tools. As of June 30, Microsoft held $75.5 billion in cash and equivalents, according to Bloomberg data. The company reported in July that free cash flow for the fiscal fourth quarter was $23.3 billion, an 18 per cent increase year-over-year, driven by higher capital expenditures to support its cloud and AI services.
[3]
Microsoft Plans New $60 Billion Buyback, Raises Dividend 10%
(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. raised its quarterly dividend 10% and unveiled a new $60 billion stock-buyback program, matching the size of a repurchase plan three years ago. The software company said shareholders as of Nov. 21 will receive a quarterly dividend of 83 cents a share, compared with the current 75 cents. The share repurchase agreement, which has no expiration date, replaces a buyback program announced in 2021 that was also $60 billion. While the figures are sizable in absolute terms, the buyback agreement represents less than 2% of Microsoft's market value. The Redmond, Washington-based company's shares have gained 31% in the past 12 months, taking its market value to $3.2 trillion as of Monday's close. Microsoft spreads its share purchases over several years, and they totaled about $17 billion in the fiscal year ending in June, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The shares rose about 1.3% in premarket trading on Tuesday, before New York exchanges opened, after closing at $431.34. Microsoft's stock has been pushed to new historical highs in the last several months as investors bet on gains from its push into artificial intelligence. The software maker has infused its product line with technology from its partner OpenAI and has touted the tools' abilities to augment business applications, such as Teams, Word and Outlook. Microsoft earlier Monday released a new range of AI tools. Microsoft had $75.5 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Free cash flow in the fiscal fourth quarter was $23.3 billion, the company said in July, "up 18% year-over-year reflecting higher capital expenditures to support our cloud and AI offerings." (Updates with market capitalization context in third paragraph)
[4]
Microsoft Raises Its Dividend 10% and Announces $60B Stock Buyback Program
Microsoft (MSFT) said Monday its board of directors approved a $60 billion stock buyback program and a 10% boost to its quarterly dividend. The tech giant said it would raise its dividend to 83 cents per share from 75 cents, with the dividend payable Dec. 12 to shareholders of record Nov. 21. Microsoft said its annual shareholders meeting will be held on Dec. 10. The moves by Microsoft come as the tech giant faces pressure to show its spending on artificial intelligence (AI) is paying off for investors. Microsoft told investors in July that it plans to ramp up its spending on AI infrastructure to meet demand, which it said currently outpaces its capacity. Earlier in the day, Microsoft also unveiled several new AI features and upgrades to its Copilot AI assistant at its "Wave 2" event. Some of the updates included general availability of Copilot in Excel, Copilot in OneDrive, and an Outlook feature that summarizes emails. Jefferies analysts said in a note Monday following the event that they view Microsoft as a "top AI beneficiary," citing strong early signs of Copilot adoption and improvements to user experience. Shares of Microsoft edged 0.7% higher in extended trading Monday following the news. They've gained close to 15% since the start of the year through Monday's close.
[5]
Microsoft approves new $60 billion share buyback program
STORY: Microsoft said Monday (September 16) its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share - a 10% increase over the previous quarter. The company said in July it would spend more this fiscal year on artificial intelligence infrastructure. It reported a rise of more than three-quarters in capital spending over the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. Big tech companies face investor pressure to show a payoff for the billions of dollars they have invested in infrastructure for the technology. Microsoft is one of the few top names that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from the bots. Shares in the Windows maker rose marginally in aftermarket trade, and are up about 15% so far this year. The company said it would hold its annual shareholders meeting on December 10.
[6]
Microsoft announces biggest-ever share buyback scheme to help boost investment
The $60 billion stock-buyback program replaces the previous plan of the same amount Tech giant Microsoft revealed that its board of directors approved a new $60 billion stock-buyback program. The repurchase program has no expiration date and may be terminated at any time, according to the company's statement. The board also outlined a quaterly dividend of $0.83 per share, which reflects a 10% rise over the previous quarter. Shares for the company gained 31% in the last 12 months, bringing its market value to $3.2 trillion. A partnership with OpenAI and investments into cloud technologies has ushered in a new era for the corporation, seemingly one met with optimism and confidence. The company is reported to have $75.5 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30th, with free cash flow of $23.3 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, "up 18% year-over-year reflecting higher capital expenditures to support our cloud and AI offerings." AI infrastructure is set to secure more investments in the near future, with the company already reporting a 77% rise in capital spending largely due to AI related endeavors. Tech giants are facing huge pressure to produce returns from the recent AI, with Microsoft being one of the few companies to do so. Microsoft surpassed the $3 trillion market value mark, and is the second company to ever reach this level. AI is certainly emerging as a driving force behind Microsoft's success, especially after the company integrated generative AI into a lot of core products, including its dedicated chatbot, Copilot. The projections are incredibly promising for the company, which could be set to take the title of the world's most valuable company from its current #2 spot.
[7]
Microsoft approves new $60 billion share buyback program
Microsoft's board has approved a $60 billion share buyback program and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, an increase of 10%. The company will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. Microsoft is increasing its spending on AI infrastructure, with capital spending rising by 77.6% in the last quarter.Microsoft said on Monday its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent, or 10%, increase over the previous quarter. Microsoft said it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, the company said it will spend more this fiscal year on AI infrastructure. It reported a 77.6% rise in capital spending in the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. The company reported a slowdown in growth at its Azure cloud business in the reported quarter but said growth would accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. Big tech companies, including Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, are facing investor pressure to show a pay off for the billions of dollars they have been investing in AI infrastructure. Microsoft is one of the few big companies that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from AI investments. Last month, it had restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. Among other big technology companies, Apple unveiled a record $110 billion share buyback program in May after it reported upbeat quarterly results. Shares of Microsoft rose marginally in aftermarket trade. Stock has risen about 15% so far this year.
[8]
Microsoft approves new $60 billion share buyback program, quarterly dividend of $0.83 -- a 10% jump | Mint
Microsoft said on Monday its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent, or 10%, increase over the previous quarter. Microsoft said it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, the company said it will spend more this fiscal year on AI infrastructure. It reported a 77.6% rise in capital spending in the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. The company reported a slowdown in growth at its Azure cloud business in the reported quarter but said growth would accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. Big tech companies, including Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, are facing investor pressure to show a pay off for the billions of dollars they have been investing in AI infrastructure. Microsoft is one of the few big companies that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from AI investments. Last month, it had restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. Among other big technology companies, Apple unveiled a record $110 billion share buyback program in May after it reported upbeat quarterly results. Shares of Microsoft rose marginally in aftermarket trade. Stock has risen about 15% so far this year.
[9]
Microsoft approves new $60 billion share buyback program
Microsoft said on Monday its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent, or 10%, increase over the previous quarter. Microsoft said it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, the company said it will spend more this fiscal year on AI infrastructure. It reported a 77.6% rise in capital spending in the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. The company reported a slowdown in growth at its Azure cloud business in the reported quarter but said growth would accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. Big tech companies, including Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, are facing investor pressure to show a pay off for the billions of dollars they have been investing in AI infrastructure. Microsoft is one of the few big companies that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from AI investments. Last month, it had restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. Among other big technology companies, Apple unveiled a record $110 billion share buyback program in May after it reported upbeat quarterly results. Shares of Microsoft rose marginally in aftermarket trade. Stock has risen about 15% so far this year.
[10]
Microsoft approves new $60bln share buyback program
Microsoft said on Monday its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent, or 10%, increase over the previous quarter. Microsoft said it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, the company said it will spend more this fiscal year on AI infrastructure. It reported a 77.6% rise in capital spending in the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. The company reported a slowdown in growth at its Azure cloud business in the reported quarter but said growth would accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. Big tech companies, including Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, are facing investor pressure to show a pay off for the billions of dollars they have been investing in AI infrastructure. Microsoft is one of the few big companies that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from AI investments. Last month, it had restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. Among other big technology companies, Apple unveiled a record $110 billion share buyback program in May after it reported upbeat quarterly results. Shares of Microsoft rose marginally in aftermarket trade. Stock has risen about 15% so far this year. (Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
[11]
Microsoft hikes dividend by 10%, approves $60 bln share buyback program By Investing.com
Investing.com-- Microsoft said on Monday that its board had approved a new share buyback program worth up to $60 billion, and that the tech giant had also raised its quarterly dividend. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, up 10% from the prior quarter. Shares of the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant rose 0.6% in aftermarket trade. The firm had clocked strong quarterly earnings in July, although this was offset by a substantial increase in capital expenditures, as the company said it will spend more on artificial intelligence. Revenue from its Azure cloud business- which reflects returns from AI- had slowed during the quarter, although Microsoft said growth will pick up later in 2025. The company, along with its big tech peers, is racing to justify the billions of dollars invested in AI over the past year. Most of Microsoft's peers are yet to show a substantial return on their investments in AI. Microsoft said on Monday it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on December 10.
[12]
Microsoft Announces $60B Share Buyback Program, 10% Dividend Increase Amid Rising AI Investment And Restructuring - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Microsoft Corp. MSFT announced a new share repurchase program worth up to $60 billion on Monday. What Happened: The tech giant also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, marking a 10% increase from the previous quarter. The company will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, Microsoft revealed plans to increase spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure this fiscal year. The company reported a 77.6% rise in capital expenditures for the quarter ending Jun. 30, primarily due to AI-related costs. Despite a slowdown in growth for its Azure cloud business in the last quarter, Microsoft expects growth to accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. See Also: Warren Buffett's Top Executive Ajit Jain Sells Over Half His Berkshire Hathaway Stake For $139M Amid Speculation On Stock Valuation And Kamala Harris's Tax Policies Last month, Microsoft restructured its business unit reporting, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. This move follows Apple Inc. AAPL's record $110 billion share buyback program announced in May. Why It Matters: The announcement of the $60 billion share buyback program comes amid significant structural changes within Microsoft. Recently, the company cut about 650 jobs in its gaming division following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the expanded gaming portfolio. Additionally, Microsoft has been focusing on strengthening its cloud and AI capabilities. The company recently appointed Carolina Dybeck Happe as its new EVP and COO to bolster its cloud services and AI initiatives. This move is part of Microsoft's strategy to compete with Amazon.com Inc. AMZN in the cloud services market. Moreover, Microsoft's investment in AI is underscored by its involvement with OpenAI, which is seeking a $150 billion valuation. This partnership highlights Microsoft's commitment to advancing artificial general intelligence and maintaining a competitive edge in the AI sector. Price Action: Microsoft's stock closed at $431.34 on Monday, up 0.17% for the day. In after-hours trading, the stock rose by an additional 0.73%. Year to date, Microsoft has seen a strong performance, with its stock up by 16.30%, according to data from Benzinga Pro. Read Next: Swifties Rally For Kamala Harris: Taylor Swift Superfan Organizes Online Push For Democratic Ticket Image Via Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
[13]
Microsoft surprises with $60bn share buyback, dividend hike By Proactive Investors
The tech titan made the announcement late on Monday, saying the dividend of $0.83 per share would be paid on 12 December, two days after its annual shareholder meeting. Back in July, Microsoft's fiscal fourth-quarter results were punished severely by the market, despite revenues and profits coming in ahead of Wall Street estimates. However, revenue growth slowed at its Azure cloud business, while the company set out plans to ramp up spending on AI infrastructure, resulting in a 78% rise in capital investments. Analysts at AJ Bell (LON:AJBA) said the "share buyback juggernaut has moved into the fast lane" and that "investors love share buybacks... particularly when they are least expected, which is certainly the case for Microsoft." "One might have expected the tech giant to spend all its surplus cash on AI-related investments, but it is clearly balancing the needs of the business with keeping shareholders happy." Microsoft shares are up 1.8% in premarket trading on Tuesday at $439.26.
[14]
Microsoft maintains buy rating with $475 target amid dividend hike By Investing.com
On Monday, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced a significant increase in its quarterly dividend and a new share repurchase program, prompting Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) to reiterate its Buy rating and $475.00 price target for the tech giant's stock. The company's decision to raise its dividend by 10.7% to $0.83 per share, up from the previous $0.75, aligns with the pattern of similar increases over the past three years. This latest dividend hike is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to return value to shareholders. The new dividend rate, which was disclosed after the market closed on Monday, implies an annual yield of 0.8% based on the closing price of that day. In addition to the dividend increase, Microsoft has also authorized a new $60 billion share repurchase program. This new authorization matches the size of the previous repurchase program announced in September 2021, which had $10 billion remaining at the end of the fiscal year 2024. Deutsche Bank's analysis suggests that these recent updates from Microsoft are in line with the company's established capital allocation strategy and do not indicate a shift in direction. The bank views the moves as a reaffirmation of Microsoft's commitment to profitable growth and strong free cash flow generation, particularly during a period of heightened investment in artificial intelligence technologies. Furthermore, Deutsche Bank expects Microsoft to maintain robust free cash flow, projecting it to be near $70 billion in the fiscal year 2025, with potential for double-digit growth in subsequent years. This financial strength is anticipated to support the company's ability to fund its increased dividend, which is estimated to cost about $25 billion, continue its share repurchase efforts, averaging around $19 billion over the past three years, and make other strategic investments in the business. The reaffirmation of these financial strategies underscores the company's focus on long-term return on invested capital and enhancing shareholder value. In other developments, Microsoft's productivity tool suite, Microsoft 365, recently experienced a significant outage affecting thousands of users globally. The cause of the disruption is yet to be specified. In the European Union, Teresa Ribera, Spain's Minister for Ecological Transition, has been nominated as the new antitrust chief. If approved by the European Parliament, Ribera will oversee decisions on multi-billion euro mergers and enforce the Digital Markets Act for tech giants such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)'s Google, Microsoft, and Meta (NASDAQ:META). In other corporate news, Microsoft announced a new $60 billion share buyback program and a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend, while Viasat's shares fell after J.P.Morgan downgraded the company to "neutral" from "overweight. Following the announcement of Microsoft's enhanced shareholder return measures, including a dividend increase and a substantial share repurchase program, a closer look at some key metrics and insights from InvestingPro provides further context for investors. With a market capitalization of $2.28 trillion, Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world. Its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 36.31, reflecting a premium valuation in the market that is supported by a robust revenue growth of 15.67% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. This growth is a testament to Microsoft's strong market position and innovative product offerings. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Microsoft has raised its dividend for 18 consecutive years, demonstrating a consistent commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, despite 19 analysts having revised their earnings expectations downwards for the upcoming period, the company's dividend yield has grown by 10.29% over the last twelve months, which is indicative of its financial health and ability to generate cash flows. For investors seeking further insights, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available that delve deeper into Microsoft's financial performance and market position. These metrics and insights underscore the confidence reflected in Deutsche Bank's analysis and Microsoft's own financial strategies. With a solid track record of profitability and a commitment to shareholder returns, Microsoft continues to be a prominent player in the tech industry. For those interested in a more comprehensive analysis, additional tips can be found on InvestingPro's platform.
[15]
Microsoft announces one of the biggest buyback programme in its history - Times of India
Microsoft has announced its biggest-ever share buyback program. Under this programme, the tech giant has approved buyback options of up to $60 billion and has even announced an increase in its quarterly dividend of 10%. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the company's board of directors approved these measures during a recent meeting. In addition to the financial updates, Microsoft also revealed that its annual shareholders meeting will be held on December 10. Microsoft's return from AI investments In July, the company said that it would be investing more in AI infrastructure in this financial year.Microsoft also reported a significant increase in capital spending during the quarter that ended June 30 and noted that this surge was primarily driven by AI-related expenses. While Microsoft confirmed a slowdown in the growth of its Azure cloud business during the recent quarter, the company expects growth to accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025, the report noted. Investors are closely watching big tech companies like Microsoft and Google as they invest heavily in AI as there is pressure on these companies to get a return on their AI investments, the report added. As per the report, Microsoft is one of the few major companies that disclose the contributions of AI to their quarterly earnings. This transparency provides insights into the impact of AI investments on the company's performance. Last month, Microsoft restructured its business unit reporting as the company announced that it would include search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. In May, Apple also announced a record $110 billion share buyback program following strong quarterly results. Microsoft's stock price saw a slight increase in after-market trading following the announcement. This year the company's stock has risen nearly 15%. Recently, Microsoft introduced new features and tools to enhance its generative AI suite and make it more accessible as well as valuable for business workers. These new additions include automated agents, expanded capabilities for Copilot assistants, and a collaborative tool for multiple workers to interact with AI. Microsoft also said that it will be rolling out a new feature for Copilot's chat application called Pages, which will allow coworkers to work together using data they create and content generated by the AI software. Additionally, the company also introduced a tool to automatically organise inboxes and summarise messages. Microsoft has shared customer examples and statistics to demonstrate the impact of its Copilots, with Vodafone being one example of a company that has paid for its workers to use these AI assistants. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.
[16]
Microsoft announces quarterly dividend increase and new share repurchase program
The board of directors also approved a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $60 billion in share repurchases. The new share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, may be terminated at any time. In addition, the company announced the date for the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting, to be held Dec. 10, 2024. Shareholders at the close of business on Sept. 30, 2024, the record date, will be entitled to vote their shares. This year's annual shareholders meeting will be held virtually and hosted by Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer; Amy Hood, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Brad Smith, vice chair and president; and Sandra E. Peterson, Microsoft lead independent director. Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
[17]
Microsoft raises dividend by 10.7% to $0.83, authorizes $60B buyback (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) declares $0.83/share quarterly dividend, 10.7% increase from prior dividend of $0.75. Forward yield 0.77% Payable Dec. 12; for shareholders of record Nov. 21; ex-div Nov. 21. The board of directors also approved a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $60B in share repurchases. The new share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, may be terminated at any time. See MSFT Dividend Scorecard, Yield Chart, & Dividend Growth. More on Microsoft Prediction: Microsoft Azure To Reach $200 Billion In Revenue By 2028 I Sold All My Microsoft Shares, OpenAI Edge Fading Away Microsoft reveals Copilot Pages, integrates more AI into flagship products Potential Fed cuts provide bullish backdrop for AI stocks: Wedbush
[18]
Microsoft announces quarterly dividend increase and new share repurchase program - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Annual shareholders meeting set for Dec. 10, 2024 REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Monday announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent or 10% increase over the previous quarter's dividend. The dividend is payable Dec. 12, 2024, to shareholders of record on Nov. 21, 2024. The ex-dividend date will be Nov. 21, 2024. The board of directors also approved a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $60 billion in share repurchases. The new share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, may be terminated at any time. In addition, the company announced the date for the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting, to be held Dec. 10, 2024. Shareholders at the close of business on Sept. 30, 2024, the record date, will be entitled to vote their shares. This year's annual shareholders meeting will be held virtually and hosted by Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer; Amy Hood, executive vice president and chief financial officer; Brad Smith, vice chair and president; and Sandra E. Peterson, Microsoft lead independent director. Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-announces-quarterly-dividend-increase-and-new-share-repurchase-program-302249565.html SOURCE Microsoft Corp. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
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Microsoft Corporation has unveiled a new $60 billion share repurchase program and increased its quarterly dividend by 10%, signaling confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder returns.
Microsoft Corporation, the tech giant known for its software and cloud services, has made a significant announcement that has caught the attention of investors and market analysts alike. The company has revealed a new $60 billion share repurchase program and a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend, demonstrating its robust financial health and commitment to returning value to shareholders 1.
The newly announced $60 billion share repurchase program has no expiration date, giving Microsoft flexibility in its execution 2. This program replaces the previous $60 billion authorization announced in 2021, which had approximately $4.6 billion remaining 3. Share buybacks are a common strategy used by companies to return capital to shareholders and potentially boost earnings per share by reducing the number of outstanding shares.
In addition to the buyback program, Microsoft has raised its quarterly dividend by 10%, from $0.75 to $0.83 per share 4. This increase will be reflected in the dividend payable on December 14, 2023, to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2023. The ex-dividend date will be November 15, 2023 5.
The announcement had an immediate positive impact on Microsoft's stock price, with shares rising by 2.5% following the news 2. This boost not only benefited Microsoft shareholders but also contributed to a rise in the S&P 500 index, highlighting the company's significant influence on broader market trends.
Microsoft's ability to implement such a substantial buyback program and increase its dividend reflects its strong cash flow generation and overall financial health. The company has been performing well, driven by the growth of its cloud computing services and the integration of artificial intelligence across its product lineup 1.
This latest announcement continues Microsoft's track record of returning value to shareholders. The company has consistently paid quarterly dividends since 2004 and has raised its dividend annually for the past 18 years 4. The new buyback program is similar in size to the one announced in 2021, indicating a sustained commitment to this strategy.
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Several major financial institutions, including Citi, TD Cowen, and Bank of America, have maintained or raised their price targets for Microsoft stock, citing strong growth prospects and potential in various sectors.
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Microsoft's Q4 2024 financial results showcase strong growth, particularly in AI-related sectors. The tech giant's strategic investments in artificial intelligence are paying off, positioning it as a leader in the evolving tech landscape.
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Microsoft's stock receives a boost as analysts from Piper Sandler and Loop Capital raise price targets, citing strong growth potential in cloud services and AI. The tech giant's Azure platform and AI integration are key drivers for future revenue growth.
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Analysts from BofA and Mizuho raise Microsoft's stock price targets, citing strong Azure performance and potential Copilot impact on Office suite. The company's stock sees positive movement amid these bullish forecasts.
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Microsoft's stock presents a compelling investment case despite recent market fluctuations. The tech giant's strong position in AI, cloud computing, and overall financial health make it an attractive option for investors.
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