Microsoft Corporation’s CEO, Judson Althoff, executed a significant stock sale on December 2, 2023, selling 12,750 shares at an average price of $491.52. This transaction totaled approximately $6,266,880. Following this sale, Althoff retains ownership of 129,349 shares, currently valued at about $63,577,620.48. This move reflects an 8.97% decrease in Althoff’s stake in the company.
The transaction was disclosed through a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is publicly accessible for further details.
Microsoft’s Stock Performance and Market Metrics
Following Althoff’s sale, Microsoft shares traded down by $11.46 on December 3, 2023, reaching a price of $478.54. Notably, the trading volume for the day was 34,547,562 shares, significantly higher than the average volume of 22,203,363 shares. The company’s current financial metrics include a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 1.40, and a quick ratio of 1.39.
Microsoft boasts a market capitalization of $3.56 trillion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.04 and a PEG ratio of 1.82. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated, with a low of $344.79 and a high of $555.45. The 50-day moving average stands at $509.01, while the 200-day moving average is $501.08.
Recent Financial Results and Analyst Insights
Microsoft recently reported its quarterly earnings on October 29, 2023. The company achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of $4.13, outperforming analysts’ expectations of $3.65 by $0.48. For the quarter, Microsoft generated revenue of $77.67 billion, surpassing the anticipated $75.49 billion. This represents an 18.4% year-over-year increase in revenue compared to the same period in the previous year, where the EPS was $3.30.
Looking ahead, analysts forecast that Microsoft will report an EPS of 13.08 for the current fiscal year.
Additionally, several hedge funds have adjusted their holdings in Microsoft recently. For instance, AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake by 5.9%, now owning 342 shares valued at $170,000. Other firms, such as BLVD Private Wealth LLC and PMV Capital Advisers LLC, have also raised their positions in the company.
Analysts have varying perspectives on Microsoft’s stock; KeyCorp maintains an “overweight” rating, while Mizuho downgraded its assessment from “strong-buy” to “hold.” Sanford C. Bernstein has increased its price target from $637.00 to $645.00, indicating confidence in the company’s performance.
According to data from MarketBeat.com, Microsoft currently holds a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy,” with a target price averaging $634.33.
Microsoft Corporation continues to be a key player in the global technology landscape, developing a wide range of software, devices, and services. Its ongoing innovations and strong financial performance underscore its position as a leader in the industry.
