GDS Wealth Management Buys 2,358 Shares of Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT)

GDS Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Microsoft Co. (NASDAQ:MSFT - Free Report) by 5.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,039 shares of the software giant's stock after acquiring an additional 2,358 shares during the quarter. Microsoft comprises about 1.8% of GDS Wealth Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. GDS Wealth Management's holdings in Microsoft were worth $19,405,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSFT. Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Microsoft during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Microsoft by 53.8% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 100 shares of the software giant's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Avondale Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of Microsoft by 144.4% during the 4th quarter. Avondale Wealth Management now owns 110 shares of the software giant's stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Microsoft during the third quarter worth $62,000. Finally, Kieckhefer Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Microsoft in the 4th quarter valued at $141,000. Institutional investors own 71.13% of the company's stock.

Microsoft Stock Performance

Microsoft stock traded down $3.41 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $375.39. The company had a trading volume of 35,114,161 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,581,628. The company has a 50 day moving average of $405.52 and a 200-day moving average of $419.10. Microsoft Co. has a 52 week low of $367.31 and a 52 week high of $468.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The firm has a market cap of $2.79 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.22, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.92.

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Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The software giant reported $3.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.08. Microsoft had a net margin of 35.43% and a return on equity of 33.36%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.93 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Microsoft Co. will post 13.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Microsoft Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. Microsoft's dividend payout ratio is presently 26.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an "overweight" rating and set a $509.00 price objective on shares of Microsoft in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Loop Capital upped their price target on shares of Microsoft from $500.00 to $550.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 23rd. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Microsoft in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Microsoft from $540.00 to $530.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $510.00 to $500.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Microsoft has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $508.86.

Microsoft Profile

Microsoft Corporation develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions worldwide. The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers office, exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, office 365 Security and Compliance, Microsoft viva, and Microsoft 365 copilot; and office consumer services, such as Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, Office licensed on-premises, and other office services.