Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Position Increased by Trust Co. of Vermont

Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 2.1% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 185,252 shares of the software giant’s stock after buying an additional 3,846 shares during the period. Microsoft Corporation comprises approximately 1.3% of Trust Co. of Vermont’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Trust Co. of Vermont’s holdings in Microsoft Corporation were worth $12,200,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSFT. Asset Planning Services Ltd. increased its stake 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 worth $114,000 after buying an additional 837 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter worth $155,000. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC purchased a new stake in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter worth $161,000. Northwest Quadrant Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Microsoft Corporation during the fourth quarter worth $205,000. Finally, Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors LP purchased a new stake in Microsoft Corporation during the first quarter worth $209,000. 72.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ MSFT) opened at 72.70 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $71.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.43. The company has a market cap of $560.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.83 and a beta of 1.00. Microsoft Corporation has a 12 month low of $55.61 and a 12 month high of $74.42.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The software giant reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $24.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $24.29 billion. Microsoft Corporation had a return on equity of 36.81% and a net margin of 23.57%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.69 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Microsoft Corporation will post $3.23 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 17th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 15th. Microsoft Corporation’s payout ratio is 57.78%.

A number of analysts have weighed in on MSFT shares. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The) increased their target price on shares of Microsoft Corporation from $72.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley restated a “buy” rating and set a $72.00 price target on shares of Microsoft Corporation in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Pacific Crest restated a “buy” rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Microsoft Corporation in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Deutsche Bank AG restated a “buy” rating and set a $75.00 price target on shares of Microsoft Corporation in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Morningstar, Inc. restated a “buy” rating on shares of Microsoft Corporation in a report on Friday, April 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. The company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $76.15.

In related news, insider Jean Philippe Courtois sold 26,763 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.00, for a total transaction of $1,980,462.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 544,080 shares in the company, valued at $40,261,920. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Christopher C. Capossela sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.11, for a total value of $207,330.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 216,507 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,962,798.77. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 9,587,549 shares of company stock valued at $660,373,794. Company 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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