PGGM Investments Has $24.41 Million Position in Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

PGGM Investments cut its stake in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 5.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 370,654 shares of the software giant’s stock after selling 20,483 shares during the period. PGGM Investments’ holdings in Microsoft Corporation were worth $24,411,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSFT. Asset Planning Services Ltd. boosted its position in Microsoft Corporation by 93.0% in the first quarter. Asset Planning Services Ltd. now owns 1,737 shares of the software giant’s stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 837 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter valued at $155,000. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC purchased a new position in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter valued at $161,000. Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors LP purchased a new position in Microsoft Corporation during the first quarter valued at $209,000. Finally, Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter valued at $205,000. 72.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) opened at 73.79 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $70.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $66.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $569.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56 and a beta of 1.00. Microsoft Corporation has a 1-year low of $55.61 and a 1-year high of $74.30. Microsoft Corporation also was the target of unusually large options trading on Thursday. Traders purchased 91,928 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of 352% compared to the typical daily volume of 20,348 put options.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The software giant reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.27. Microsoft Corporation had a return on equity of 37.17% and a net margin of 23.57%. The business had revenue of $24.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.29 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.69 EPS. Microsoft Corporation’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Microsoft Corporation will post $3.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 17th will be given a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.11%. Microsoft Corporation’s dividend payout ratio is currently 57.78%.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS AG reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $82.00 price target (up previously from $73.00) on shares of Microsoft Corporation in a report on Friday. Barclays PLC set a $82.00 price target on Microsoft Corporation and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Canaccord Genuity raised their price target on Microsoft Corporation from $68.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Microsoft Corporation from $75.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $82.50 price target on Microsoft Corporation and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Microsoft Corporation has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $75.23.

In other news, insider G Mason Morfit sold 7,000,000 shares of Microsoft Corporation stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.85, for a total value of $481,950,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Christopher C. Capossela sold 3,000 shares of Microsoft Corporation stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.11, for a total value of $207,330.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 216,507 shares in the company, valued at $14,962,798.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 12,060,786 shares of company stock worth $831,893,332. Corporate insiders own 2.99% of the company’s stock.

Microsoft Corporation Company Profile

Microsoft Corporation is a technology company. The Company develops, licenses, and supports a range of software products, services and devices. The Company’s segments include Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud and More Personal Computing. The Company’s products include operating systems; cross-device productivity applications; server applications; business solution applications; desktop and server management tools; software development tools; video games, and training and certification of computer system integrators and developers.

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