Signal Advisors Wealth LLC has significantly increased its stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), raising its holdings by 27.7% during the third quarter of 2023. According to the firm’s latest Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the investment fund now owns 46,941 shares of the technology giant, following the purchase of an additional 10,168 shares in the quarter. This acquisition positions Microsoft as the eighth largest holding in Signal Advisors’ portfolio, comprising 2.2% of its total investments, valued at approximately $24.3 million.
Several institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Microsoft. For instance, AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake by 5.9% in the second quarter, now owning 342 shares worth $170,000. Similarly, PMV Capital Advisers LLC lifted its holdings by 5.9%, resulting in ownership of 359 shares valued at $178,000. Other firms, including Seek First Inc. and Level Financial Advisors, have made minor increases to their positions, reflecting a broader confidence in Microsoft’s growth potential. Notably, institutional investors and hedge funds now control 71.13% of Microsoft’s stock.
Microsoft Stock Performance and Dividends
As of the latest trading session, shares of Microsoft opened at $487.61. The company has experienced a one-year low of $344.79 and a one-year high of $555.45. Microsoft’s market capitalization stands at an impressive $3.62 trillion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, set to be distributed on March 12, 2024, to stockholders recorded by February 19, 2024. This dividend translates to an annualized payout of $3.64 and a yield of 0.7%.
Insider Transactions and Analyst Ratings
In related insider news, Bradford L. Smith, Microsoft’s President, sold 38,500 shares on November 3, 2023, at an average price of $518.64, totaling approximately $19.97 million. Following this transaction, Smith owns 461,597 shares, valued at around $239.4 million. Additionally, Takeshi Numoto, Executive Vice President, divested 2,850 shares on December 4, 2023, for about $1.36 million. Over the last three months, insiders have sold a total of 54,100 shares, valued at approximately $27.6 million, indicating a minor decrease in insider ownership, which now stands at 0.03% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street analysts have expressed optimism regarding Microsoft’s future. Baird R W recently upgraded the stock to a “strong buy” rating, emphasizing its growth potential. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating with a target price of $630.00, while HSBC raised its target from $643.00 to $648.00. Overall, a consensus of two analysts rated the stock as strong buy, thirty-seven as buy, and four as hold, with an average target price of $631.03, as per data from MarketBeat.com.
Microsoft Corporation, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, has established itself as a leader in the global technology sector since its founding in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company’s extensive product portfolio includes the Windows operating system and the Microsoft 365 suite, catering to consumers, enterprises, and governments worldwide. As Microsoft continues to innovate and expand its offerings, investor confidence remains robust, reflected in the recent activity of institutional investors and the positive outlook from analysts.
