Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Information


A Brief History of Microsoft Corporation

As of 2024, Microsoft Corporation has established itself as a leader in the technology industry, continuing its evolution from a software company to a diversified technology and services powerhouse.

Company Overview

Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft initially focused on software development, particularly for personal computers. The introduction of the Windows operating system in 1985 marked a significant milestone, leading to widespread adoption and establishing Microsoft as a dominant player in the software market.

Financial Performance

For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, Microsoft reported total revenue of $239.2 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 10%. The revenue breakdown is as follows:

Segment Revenue (in billions)
Productivity and Business Processes $66.5
Intelligent Cloud $91.5
More Personal Computing $81.2

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Microsoft's net income for the same period was $72.3 billion, with a diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $9.66, an increase from $8.57 in the previous fiscal year.

Shareholder Returns

In Q1 2025, Microsoft returned $9.0 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. The dividend declared on September 16, 2024, was $0.83 per share, totaling $6.2 billion, compared to $5.6 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.

Recent Acquisitions

In October 2023, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $75.4 billion. This acquisition is expected to enhance Microsoft's gaming portfolio significantly, integrating Activision's popular franchises into its offerings.

Market Position and Valuation

As of September 30, 2024, Microsoft's market capitalization stood at approximately $2.45 trillion. The company maintains a strong position in the technology sector, driven by its cloud services and enterprise solutions.

Debt and Liquidity

Microsoft's long-term debt as of September 30, 2024, was $42.9 billion, with an estimated fair value of $44.6 billion. The company has a robust cash position, holding $11.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which supports its ongoing investments and shareholder returns.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Microsoft aims to continue its growth trajectory through investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and gaming. The company's strategic initiatives are expected to strengthen its competitive edge and drive long-term shareholder value.

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Total Revenue (FY 2024) $239.2 billion
Net Income $72.3 billion
Diluted EPS $9.66
Market Capitalization $2.45 trillion
Long-term Debt $42.9 billion
Cash and Cash Equivalents $11.6 billion


A Who Owns Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership structure of Microsoft Corporation is characterized by a mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual stakeholders. The following table outlines the major shareholders of Microsoft Corporation:

Shareholder Type Ownership Percentage Number of Shares (in millions) Estimated Value (in billions)
Vanguard Group 8.4% 626.4 $191.4
BlackRock, Inc. 7.4% 550.8 $167.1
Bill Gates 1.3% 97.1 $29.4
State Street Corporation 4.0% 297.8 $89.9
Other Institutional Investors 15.8% 1174.0 $354.0
Retail Investors 63.1% 4600.0 $1380.0

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership is also a significant aspect of Microsoft's ownership structure. Key executives and board members hold shares in the company, contributing to the overall ownership landscape:

Name Position Shares Owned (in millions) Percentage of Total Shares
Satya Nadella CEO 1.0 0.01%
Brad Smith President 0.2 0.002%
Other Executives Various 1.5 0.02%

Stock Performance

Microsoft's stock performance is a reflection of its strong market position. As of September 30, 2024, the stock price was approximately $305.00, with a market capitalization of around $2.27 trillion. The following table provides a summary of recent stock performance metrics:

Metric Value
Current Stock Price $305.00
Market Capitalization $2.27 trillion
52-Week High $317.00
52-Week Low $232.00
Dividend Yield 1.08%

Institutional Ownership Trends

Institutional ownership has shown a steady increase over the years. As of 2024, institutional investors collectively own about 30% of Microsoft's shares:

Year Institutional Ownership Percentage
2021 28.5%
2022 29.0%
2023 29.5%
2024 30.0%

Conclusion of Ownership Structure

Overall, Microsoft Corporation remains a widely held company with diverse ownership, including significant institutional and retail investor participation. The company's strategic direction under its leadership continues to attract investment interest, solidifying its position in the technology sector.



Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Mission Statement

Microsoft Corporation's mission statement as of 2024 is to "empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more." This reflects its commitment to providing a wide range of products and services, particularly in the areas of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, designed to enhance productivity and foster innovation.

Financial Performance Overview

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, Microsoft reported significant financial results:

Metric Q1 FY 2025 Q1 FY 2024 Percentage Change
Revenue $65,585 million $56,517 million 16%
Gross Margin $45,486 million $40,215 million 13%
Operating Income $30,552 million $26,895 million 14%
Net Income $24,667 million $22,291 million 11%
Diluted Earnings per Share $3.30 $2.99 10%

Segment Revenue Breakdown

The revenue generated from different business segments showcases Microsoft's diverse portfolio:

Segment Q1 FY 2025 Revenue Q1 FY 2024 Revenue Percentage Change
Productivity and Business Processes $28,317 million $25,226 million 12%
Intelligent Cloud $24,092 million $20,013 million 20%
More Personal Computing $13,176 million $11,278 million 17%

Cloud Revenue Growth

Microsoft Cloud revenue, which encompasses Microsoft 365 and Azure, has shown remarkable growth:

  • Q1 FY 2025 Cloud Revenue: $38.9 billion
  • Q1 FY 2024 Cloud Revenue: $31.9 billion
  • Percentage Increase: 22%

Unearned Revenue

As of September 30, 2024, the breakdown of unearned revenue across segments is as follows:

Segment Unearned Revenue (in millions)
Productivity and Business Processes $40,429
Intelligent Cloud $12,397
More Personal Computing $2,863
Total Unearned Revenue $55,689

Investment in Research and Development

Microsoft continues to invest heavily in research and development to support its mission:

  • R&D Expenses for Q1 FY 2025: $7,544 million
  • R&D Expenses for Q1 FY 2024: $6,659 million
  • Percentage Increase: 13%

Shareholder Returns

Microsoft remains committed to returning capital to its shareholders:

  • Dividends declared in Q1 FY 2025: $6.2 billion
  • Dividends declared in Q1 FY 2024: $5.6 billion
  • Share repurchases in Q1 FY 2025: $2.8 billion
  • Share repurchases in Q1 FY 2024: $3.6 billion


How Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Works

Business Segments

Microsoft operates through three main segments:

  • Productivity and Business Processes
  • Intelligent Cloud
  • More Personal Computing

Financial Performance Overview

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Microsoft reported:

Metric Q1 2025 (2024) Q1 2024 (2023) Percentage Change
Revenue $65,585 million $56,517 million 16%
Gross Margin $45,486 million $40,215 million 13%
Operating Income $30,552 million $26,895 million 14%
Net Income $24,667 million $22,291 million 11%
Diluted Earnings Per Share $3.30 $2.99 10%

Segment Results

The following table highlights the revenue and operating income by segment for the same period:

Segment Revenue (Q1 2025) Revenue (Q1 2024) Operating Income (Q1 2025) Operating Income (Q1 2024) Percentage Change (Revenue)
Productivity and Business Processes $28,317 million $25,226 million $16,516 million $14,297 million 12%
Intelligent Cloud $24,092 million $20,013 million $10,503 million $8,908 million 20%
More Personal Computing $13,176 million $11,278 million $3,533 million $3,690 million 17%

Revenue Breakdown

Revenue by major product and service offerings is as follows:

Product/Service Revenue (Q1 2025) Revenue (Q1 2024)
Server products and cloud services $22,155 million $18,062 million
Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services $20,449 million $18,044 million
Gaming $5,621 million $3,919 million
Windows and Devices $4,329 million $4,340 million
LinkedIn $4,292 million $3,913 million
Search and news advertising $3,225 million $3,018 million
Enterprise and partner services $1,928 million $1,944 million
Dynamics products and cloud services $1,849 million $1,626 million
Microsoft 365 Consumer products and cloud services $1,727 million $1,643 million

Operational Costs and Expenses

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Microsoft incurred the following operational costs:

Expense Type Amount (Q1 2025) Amount (Q1 2024)
Cost of Revenue $20,099 million $16,302 million
Research and Development $7,544 million $6,659 million
Sales and Marketing $5,717 million $5,187 million
General and Administrative $1,673 million $1,474 million

Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement for the three months ended September 30, 2024 is summarized as follows:

Cash Flow Activity Amount (Q1 2025) Amount (Q1 2024)
Net Cash from Operations $34,180 million $30,583 million
Net Cash Used in Investing ($15,201 million) $503 million
Net Cash from (Used in) Financing ($16,576 million) $14,761 million

Balance Sheet Overview

As of September 30, 2024, the balance sheet reported the following:

Metric Amount
Total Assets $523,013 million
Total Liabilities $235,290 million
Stockholders' Equity $287,723 million


How Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Makes Money

Revenue Segments Overview

Microsoft operates through three primary segments: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. For the three months ending September 30, 2024, Microsoft reported total revenue of $65.585 billion, reflecting a 16% increase from $56.517 billion in the same period of 2023.

Segment Revenue (Q1 2025) Revenue (Q1 2024) Percentage Change
Productivity and Business Processes $28,317 million $25,226 million 12%
Intelligent Cloud $24,092 million $20,013 million 20%
More Personal Computing $13,176 million $11,278 million 17%

Productivity and Business Processes

This segment includes Microsoft 365 Commercial and Consumer products, LinkedIn, and Dynamics. In Q1 2025, this segment generated $28.317 billion, with growth driven by:

  • Microsoft 365 Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased by $2.4 billion or 13%.
  • LinkedIn revenue rose by $379 million or 10%.
  • Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased by $223 million or 14%.

Intelligent Cloud

This segment encompasses Azure and server products. Revenue in this segment increased by 20% to $24.092 billion, attributed to:

  • Azure and other cloud services revenue grew 33% due to heightened demand, including a 12-point contribution from AI services.
  • Server products revenue saw a slight decline of 1% due to lower transactional purchasing.

More Personal Computing

This segment includes Windows, Devices, and Gaming. Revenue increased by 17% to $13.176 billion, influenced by:

  • Gaming revenue surged by $1.7 billion or 43%, primarily from Xbox content and services, which rose 61% due to the Activision Blizzard acquisition.
  • Windows OEM and Devices revenue increased by 2%.

Cost Structure and Profitability

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Microsoft reported a gross margin of $45.486 billion, up from $40.215 billion a year earlier. The overall gross margin percentage decreased slightly, attributed to:

  • Cost of revenue increased by $3.8 billion or 23%, driven by growth in Microsoft Cloud and Gaming.
  • Operating expenses increased by $1.6 billion or 12%, mainly due to Gaming expenditures and investments in cloud engineering.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Microsoft's net income for the quarter was $24.667 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from $22.291 billion in Q1 2024. Diluted earnings per share were $3.30, up from $2.99 the previous year.

Metric Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Percentage Change
Net Income $24,667 million $22,291 million 11%
Diluted Earnings Per Share $3.30 $2.99 10%

Cash Flow and Investments

Microsoft's cash from operations increased by $3.6 billion to $34.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2024. Notable cash flows include:

  • Cash paid for common stock dividends was $5.574 billion.
  • Investments in property and equipment totaled $14.923 billion.

Future Revenue Recognition

As of September 30, 2024, Microsoft reported unearned revenue of $55.689 billion, with expected future recognition detailed below:

Period Unearned Revenue (in millions)
December 31, 2024 $24,279
March 31, 2025 $16,953
June 30, 2025 $9,620
September 30, 2025 $2,174
Thereafter $2,663
Total $55,689

Conclusion of Financial Performance

Microsoft's diversified revenue streams from cloud services, productivity tools, and gaming contribute significantly to its financial strength. The company's ability to adapt to market demands, particularly in the cloud and AI sectors, positions it for continued growth.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q1 2025 to get an in-depth view of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.