Can you buy Microsoft stock directly?

You can directly purchase shares of Microsoft in a brokerage account.

Are Microsoft shares a good investment?

Shares of Microsoft have historically been a good investment. As of late 2025, the tech giant had delivered an average annual total return of 21.97% over the last decade. That's more than double the S&P 500's total return over the period (10.8%).

Does Bill Gates still own Microsoft stock?

As of late 2025, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates owns less than 1% of the company's outstanding shares, worth a little under $40 billion.

How many times has Microsoft stock split since 2000?

Microsoft has split its stock once since 2000. The tech giant completed a 2-for-1 stock split in 2003.

How to Invest in Microsoft Stock (MSFT)

Get step-by-step guidance on investing in Microsoft stock and learn the ins and outs of this technology company.

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated Dec 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM EST | Fact-checked by Parker Hicks

Key Points

Microsoft's operational units include Productivity, Intelligent Cloud, and Personal Computing.
Microsoft invested heavily in AI and gaming, enhancing Azure and Xbox through deals with OpenAI and Activision.
Investors considering Microsoft stock should assess its growth potential and dividend history.

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Here are some reasons to be cautious about investing in Microsoft:

You're concerned about AI and unsure whether Microsoft's investment in OpenAI will create shareholder value.
You don't like big tech companies and worry they're becoming too powerful.
You're unsure whether Microsoft's acquisition of Activision will create value for shareholders.
You need a higher-yielding dividend than Microsoft currently offers.
You're unsure whether Microsoft can beat the S&P 500 over the long term.
You don't want to own shares in a company founded by Bill Gates.
You don't like Microsoft's products.
You're younger and want to invest in a company earlier in its growth cycle than Microsoft, which has been around for almost a half-century.

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NASDAQ: MSFT

Microsoft

Today's Change

(0.04%) $0.19

Current Price

$424.81

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$3.2T

Day's Range

$417.10 - $427.09

52wk Range

$356.28 - $555.45

Volume

1.5M

Avg Vol

38M

Gross Margin

68.59%

Dividend Yield

0.82%

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Did you know...?

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Data source: ETF.com.

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Data source: Microsoft.

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Microsoft had historically split its shares when they topped $100. However, the company has let its shares rise well past that level over the last two decades without a split (shares were over $480 in late 2025). Although that makes it seem like Microsoft could split its stock at any time, the company might let shares continue to rise without another split.

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FAQ on investing in Microsoft stock

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About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst specializing in covering dividend-paying companies, particularly in the energy and REIT sectors, since 2012. He also covers pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

TMFmd19

@MatthewDiLallo

Matt DiLallo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

How to Buy Microsoft Stock (MSFT)

Get step-by-step guidance on investing in Microsoft stock and learn the ins and outs of this technology company.

Key Points

NASDAQ: MSFT

Key Data Points

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FAQ on investing in Microsoft stock

Can you buy Microsoft stock directly?

Are Microsoft shares a good investment?

Does Bill Gates still own Microsoft stock?

How many times has Microsoft stock split since 2000?

How to buy Microsoft stock

About Microsoft

Should you invest in Microsoft?

Is Microsoft profitable?

Does Microsoft pay a dividend?

How to invest in Microsoft through ETFs

The bottom line

Related investing topics

FAQ

NASDAQ: MSFT

Key Data Points

Will Microsoft stock split?