Top 10 Microsoft Shareholders: Who Owns Microsoft Stock in 2024?

In October 2023, Microsoft (MSFT) achieved another milestone. The Big Tech company made its largest-ever acquisition deal by acquiring Activision Blizzard, the maker of the celebrated video game series “Call of Duty,” for  $69 billion, topping the company’s $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016.

The deal marked the company’s remarkable journey from its humble beginnings in 1975 as a small computer software developer founded by boyhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

As of July 2024, it stands as the world’s second-largest company by market capitalization, demonstrating the entrepreneurial drive that propelled its rapid expansion.

So, who are the top Microsoft shareholders now? In this article, let’s find out who owns Microsoft in 2024.

So, who are the top Microsoft shareholders now? In this article, let’s find out who owns Microsoft in 2024.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Microsoft Performance: Products, Market Cap & Share Price
3. Who Owns Microsoft? The Company's Ownership Structure Analysis
4. Who Owns the Most Microsoft Stock? Top Microsoft Shareholders
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Microsoft Performance: Products, Market Cap & Share Price
3. Who Owns Microsoft? The Company's Ownership Structure Analysis
Show Full Guide
4. Who Owns the Most Microsoft Stock? Top Microsoft Shareholders
5. The Bottom Line
6. FAQs
7. References

Microsoft Performance: Products, Market Cap & Share Price

Microsoft’s business now extends beyond its flagship Windows operating system. Its products include software development tools, business solution applications, and video games.

It offers a wide range of services, such as Azure cloud-based solutions and online advertising. It also designs and sells devices, including PCs, tablets, and gaming consoles, such as Xbox.

As of July 2024, Microsoft has a market capitalization of $3.290 trillion, surging from just $325 billion in early 2001, according to Companies Market Cap. Microsoft’s rival, Apple (AAPL), ranks first with a $3.475 trillion market cap.

Microsoft’s share traded at $444.34 on July 22, over 20 times the price when it launched its initial public offering (IPO) in 1986.

The company has continued to excel even after Bill Gates was no longer its main shareholder and stepped down from his leadership role full-time in 2008.

Note that past performance is not indicative of future results.

Who Owns Microsoft? The Company’s Ownership Structure Analysis

Institutional shareholders dominate the ownership of Microsoft, accounting for 71.52 % of the company’s outstanding shares, as per Nasdaq’s data on July 22, 2024. Individual and retail investors hold the remaining shares.

However, Microsoft’s institutional holdings are still lower than those of its software stock peers. For example, institutional holdings in Synopsys and Adobe account for more than 80% of each company’s outstanding shares, according to data from Wallstreet Zen.

Additionally, institutions’ stock picks usually involve thorough research by a team of experienced analysts.

Wallstreetzen’s data shows that insiders hold 6.24% of Microsoft, while retail investors own 23.87% of the company.

Company insiders, including executive officers, directors, or other beneficial holders who own 10% or more of a company’s common stock, can also impact its shares’ availability for trading. This is because other investors perceive insiders as having access to highly confidential company data.

Who Owns the Most Microsoft Stock? Top Microsoft Shareholders

Let’s take a look at who Microsoft’s investors are in 2024.

Top 5 Institutional Microsoft Investors in 2024

Vanguard Group and Blackrock remain the top two institutional shareholders with the largest holdings of Microsoft stocks.

But who are the other Microsoft owners? We review it in this section.

The Vanguard Group – 667,987,038 Shares – 8.9%

The second-biggest asset management company in the world has the biggest holding of Microsoft stock among institutional investors, with 667.98 million shares valued at $281 billion, as per the latest SEC filing as of May 10, 2024.

Its ownership accounts for 8.9% of Microsoft’s total shares outstanding of 7.43 billion.

Based on data from 13F.Info, as of the first quarter of 2024, Microsoft accounted for 5.6% of Vanguard’s total portfolio, making it the company’s biggest investment.

Founded in 1975, Vanguard offers affordable mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETF), and financial services, including wealth management and brokerage services. As of March 2024, Vanguard had $9.3 trillion of assets under management (AUM) globally, according to AdvRatings data.

Blackrock – 546,019,859 Shares – 7.3%

The world’s largest asset manager owns 546.09 million MSFT shares worth $229.72 billion as of March 31, 2024, making it the second largest Microsoft owner among institutional shareholders. Blackrock holds 7.3% of Microsoft’s total outstanding shares.

Microsoft is also Blackrock’s biggest holding, accounting for 5.3% of the company’s total portfolio, according to 13F.Info information.

Blackrock managed a total of $10.5 trillion in funds as of March 31, 2024, based on AdvRatings’ data.

State Street Corporation (STT) – 300,354,231  Shares – 4%

Based in Massachusetts, the US asset management owns 4% of Microsoft shares, representing 300.35 million shares valued at $126.36 billion as of March 31, 2024, according to the latest SEC filing.

Microsoft accounts for 5.6% of State Street’s total portfolio in the first quarter of 2024, the company’s second-largest holding after Apple, as per 13F.info data.

STT provides a range of financial services to institutional investors, including investment servicing, investment management, investment research, and trading.

With $44.3 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $4.4 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024, State Street operates globally in more than 100 geographic markets.

Fidelity (FMR LLC) – 220,859,696 Shares – 2.9%

According to the latest SEC filing on March 31. 2024, the Boston-based financial service company is Microsoft’s fourth largest institutional shareholder. It has a 2.9% stake in Microsoft, equivalent to 220.85 million shares valued at $92,92 billion.

As of the first quarter of 2024, Microsoft is FMR’s second-largest holding, accounting for 6.2% of its total portfolio, based on 13F.info data.

Known as Fidelity Investments, the company offers a wide range of financial services to various clients, from individuals to institutional clients.

Its financial services include personal financial planning, employee benefit programs, and asset management for institutional investors.

Geode Capital Management – 157,588,678 Shares – 2.1%

The company holds a 2.1% stake in Microsoft, equivalent to 157.58 million shares with an estimated value of $66.14 billion, based on the latest SEC filing. This makes Geode the fifth-largest Microsoft owner among institutional investors.

As of the first quarter of 2024, Microsoft is Geode’s top holding, accounting for 6.1% of its total portfolio, based on 13F.info data.

The company reported having $1.375 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as of June 30. 2024.

Top 5 Individual Microsoft Shareholders in 2024

We analyze who owns the most Microsoft stocks among individual investors, using data compiled from SEC and MSFT’s filings.

Satya Nadella  – 786,933 Shares – 0.01%

Microsoft CEO holds 786,932.685 shares, as shown by the latest ownership disclosure on June 5, 2024.

Before Nadella was appointed as a C-level officer in 2014, replacing Ballmer, he held various leadership roles across the company, including executive vice president of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group and vice president of the Microsoft Business Division.

Originally from Hyderabad, India, he previously worked as a member of the technology staff at Sun Microsystems before joining Microsoft in 1992.

Bradford L. Smith – 566,749 Shares – 0.007%

SEC’s disclosure on February 29, 2024, shows that Smith held 566,749.643 shares, making him the second executive who owns the most Microsoft stock.

As Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, Smith is in charge of representing the company in public on a variety of important topics about the intersection between technology and society, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, human rights, and business for non-profit clients.

Joining Microsoft in 1993, Smith led efforts to resolve the company’s antitrust controversies with governments around the world and companies across the tech sector, as well as the company’s work to improve privacy protection.

Amy E. Hood – 516,450 Shares – 0.006%

According to the latest SEC disclosure on February 29, 2024, Hood owns 516,450.617 shares in Microsoft.

As Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Hood oversees all of the company’s financial matters, including operations, acquisitions, taxation, accounting, and internal audit.

She played a crucial role in ensuring Microsoft’s successful acquisitions of LinkedIn, GitHub, and Nuance Communications.

Kathleen T. Hogan – 159,763 – 0.002%

According to the latest SEC filing on March 11, 2024, Hogan owns 159,763.819 shares in Microsoft.

Kathleen Hogan is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Microsoft, where she empowers over 220,000 global employees. Hogan joined Microsoft in 2003 and is dedicated to creating an exceptional workplace culture that attracts top tech talent worldwide.

Before her current role, Hogan was the corporate vice president of Microsoft Services.

Judson B. Althoff – 104,948 – 0.001%

SEC’s disclosure on May 23, 2024, shows that Althoff held 104,948.654 shares, making him the fifth executive who owns the most Microsoft stock.

Judson Althoff is the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Microsoft, responsible for the sales strategy, execution, and revenue growth of the company’s commercial business. Althoff joined Microsoft in March 2013 as president of Microsoft North America.

Under his leadership, Microsoft has seen continuous commercial cloud revenue growth, driven by strong partnerships and digital transformation initiatives.

Other Notable Individual Investors: Ex or Current Microsoft Owners?

Steven A. Ballmer – 333,254,734 Shares – 4.4%

Based on the last Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure on August 19, 2014, the former Microsoft Chief Executive Officer (CEO) owned 333.25 million shares, accounting for about 4% of the total shares outstanding.

The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball club ranked 9th on Forbes’ list of the 400 wealthiest Americans in 2023, with a net worth of $129.7 billion, partly attributed to his Microsoft ownership.

Gates hired Ballmer in 1980 as Microsoft’s first business manager, and he played a crucial role in securing a major deal with IBM. On January 13, 2000, he succeeded Gates as Microsoft’s second CEO and led the company until he retired in 2013.

During his tenure, Microsoft launched the original Xbox and made significant investments in cloud computing. Ballmer has no longer reported his holdings in Microsoft publicly since he left the company.

Bill Gates – 102,992,934 Shares – 1.38%

Microsoft’s founder stepped down from the company’s board of directors in March 2020, a decade after he resigned as CEO to focus on his philanthropy work.

Gates’ ownership in Microsoft dropped from 45% during the company’s IPO in 1986 to only 1.34%, representing 102.99 million shares as per the last ownership disclosure in October 2019.

Since stepping down in 2020, he has stopped publicly reporting his ownership of Microsoft.

Nonetheless, he remains among the top ten wealthiest people in the world. With a net worth of $135 billion, Gates is the seventh richest person in the United States in 2024, according to Forbes.

Gates also makes personal investments in various companies through an asset management company, Cascade Investment LLC.

The Bottom Line

Over 70% of Microsoft’s stock is owned by institutional stockholders.

Vanguard and Blackrock are Microsoft’s top two institutional investors, accounting for 8.9% and 7.3%, respectively.

A large proportion of institutional shareholders will have more clout to influence Microsoft’s corporate decisions.

FAQs