Shelton Wealth Management Reduces Stake in Microsoft Co. by 1.2%, According to Recent Filing
Shelton Wealth Management LLC, a prominent institutional investor, has announced a reduction in its stake in Microsoft Co. by 1.2% during the third quarter. This move was disclosed in the company's recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. After selling 42 shares during the quarter, Shelton Wealth Management now owns 3,439 shares of Microsoft. This represents approximately 0.9% of the firm's portfolio, ranking Microsoft as their 22nd largest holding. The total value of Shelton Wealth Management's holdings in Microsoft is estimated to be around $1,086,000.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also adjusted their holdings of Microsoft recently, including Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC, Norges Bank, Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC, Morgan Stanley, and Osaic Holdings Inc. This indicates a significant level of active engagement and interest from these investors in Microsoft's stock.
In insider trading news, EVP Kathleen T. Hogan sold 24,681 shares of Microsoft stock on December 8th at an average price of $369.00, resulting in a total transaction value of approximately $9,107,289.00. Following this transaction, Hogan now directly owns 183,761 shares in the company, valued at approximately $67,807,809. EVP Bradford L. Smith also sold 45,000 shares on February 2nd at an average price of $411.78, totaling approximately $18,530,100.00. Smith currently holds 574,129 shares, valued at approximately $236,414,839.62. All these transactions have been officially reported and filed with the SEC.
Microsoft's stock exhibited some movement, opening at $404.06. The company's 1-year low stands at $245.61, while the high is $420.82. With a market capitalization of $3.00 trillion, Microsoft operates with a P/E ratio of 36.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18, and a beta of 0.90. The company recently reported quarterly earnings of $2.93 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.76. Its quarterly revenue stood at $62.02 billion, exceeding the expected $61.14 billion. Microsoft boasts a return on equity of 38.40% and a net margin of 36.27%.
Furthermore, Microsoft has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share, to be paid on March 14th to shareholders of record as of February 15th. This translates to an annualized dividend of $3.00 and a yield of 0.74%. The company's current dividend payout ratio is 27.12%.
Various analysts have set new price targets for Microsoft, with Tigress Financial raising its target to $475.00 while maintaining a "buy" rating. Piper Sandler and BMO Capital Markets have also provided positive assessments and price targets for the stock. In total, Microsoft has received "buy" ratings from thirty-seven analysts, while three analysts have a "hold" rating. This indicates a consensus view of "Moderate Buy", with an average price target of $411.06.
Microsoft Corporation is a global leader in the development and support of software, services, devices, and solutions. The company operates through various segments, including Productivity and Business Processes, which encompasses a range of services such as Office, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The reduction in stake by Shelton Wealth Management and other institutional investors indicates active engagement and interest in Microsoft’s stock. Insider trading activity shows confidence in the company. Analysts have set optimistic price targets, indicating a “Moderate Buy” consensus view. The company’s strong financial performance, quarterly earnings, and dividend payout ratio also contribute to a positive market outlook.
