Who Owns Microsoft? Top 10 Microsoft Shareholders

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft’s ownership is widely distributed among major asset managers and a broad base of retail investors, indicating that corporate governance is heavily influenced by large index funds and long-term institutional investors.
• The company’s free float is primarily held by institutional investors (≈71.46%), with insiders (~6%) and retail investors (~24%) providing liquidity and alignment, reflecting diversified oversight and stable capital structure.
• Vanguard, BlackRock, State Street, Fidelity, and T. Rowe Price collectively hold significant stakes, impacting proxy voting outcomes, board accountability, and long-term corporate strategy.
• Among individual shareholders, Steve Ballmer is the largest, followed by Bill Gates, with Satya Nadella, Brad Smith, and Amy Hood holding smaller executive stakes that align management interests with shareholders.
• Through TMGM, traders can access Microsoft-related price movements via CFDs, enabling speculation without owning the underlying shares; however, leverage magnifies both profits and losses, necessitating disciplined risk management.

Microsoft Ownership: Shareholder Structure

Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft rapidly emerged as a technology sector leader. The company’s rapid growth was driven by strategic partnerships, such as with IBM, and pioneering products including MS-DOS, Windows, and Internet Explorer. Over time, Microsoft diversified into productivity software, consumer entertainment, and enterprise solutions, becoming one of the world’s most valuable corporations.

Today, Microsoft’s portfolio includes artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and innovative platforms like LinkedIn and Microsoft Azure. Its stock is a core holding for many investors, with ownership comprising 71.46% institutional investors, 6% insiders, and 24% retail investors.

Top 5 Institutional Shareholders

#1 Vanguard Group

• Overview: Founded in 1975, Vanguard is among the largest global asset managers, renowned for its low-cost index funds and ETFs. It serves both institutional and retail clients, managing assets worth trillions of dollars.
• Relative Stake: 8.7%
• Shares Owned: 649.2 million
• Total Value: $268 billion
• Notable: Vanguard’s extensive holdings grant it significant influence across major corporations, positioning it as one of the most powerful institutional investors globally.
  
  

#2 BlackRock Inc

• Overview: Established in 1988, BlackRock is a leading global investment management and financial services firm. It manages assets for a diverse client base, including pension funds and government entities. BlackRock also operates Aladdin, a sophisticated risk management platform widely used across the industry.

• Relative Stake: 7.25%

• Shares Owned: 538.9 million

• Total Value: $214 billion

• Notable: BlackRock is recognized for its proactive role in corporate governance, frequently influencing major corporations through its investment positions.

#3 State Street Corporation

• Overview: Founded in 1792, State Street is a longstanding financial services and asset management firm offering a range of services including asset management, research, and trading solutions.
• Relative Stake: 4.01%
• Shares Owned: 297.6 million
• Total Value: $118 billion
• Notable: State Street, Vanguard, and BlackRock are collectively known as the “Big Three” index fund managers, wielding substantial influence over corporate governance in the U.S.

#4 Fidelity (FMR LLC)

• Overview: Founded in 1946 by Edward C. Johnson II, Fidelity Investments provides a broad range of financial services, including personal financial planning and asset management. Its client base spans individuals to large institutions.

• Relative Stake: 2.9%

• Shares Owned: 215.87 million

• Total Value: $89.38 billion

• Notable: Fidelity is well-known for its active management strategies and extensive mutual fund offerings, making it a key player in asset management.

#5 T. Rowe Price Associates

• Overview: Founded in 1937, T. Rowe Price is an independent global investment management firm serving both retail and institutional clients. It is recognized for its disciplined, long-term investment philosophy.

• Relative Stake: 2%

• Shares Owned: 151.92 million

• Total Value: $62.9 billion

• Notable: T. Rowe Price is respected for its rigorous research and commitment to delivering consistent client outcomes through diversified investment strategies.

Top 5 Individual Shareholders

#1 Steve Ballmer

• Background: Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer joined the company in 1980 as its first business manager. He played a pivotal role in securing the IBM partnership and expanding Microsoft’s software business. Ballmer succeeded Bill Gates as CEO in 2000 and led the company until his retirement in 2014.

• Relative Stake: 4.48%

• Shares Owned: 333.2 million

• Total Value: $115.8 billion

• Notable: Ballmer’s substantial shareholding makes him the largest individual shareholder, providing significant influence over Microsoft’s strategic direction.

#2 Bill Gates

• Background: Co-founder of Microsoft, Gates served as CEO until 2000 and stepped down from the board in 2020 to focus on philanthropic efforts. He was instrumental in developing foundational products like Windows and Office, shaping the modern digital landscape.

• Relative Stake: 0.53%

• Shares Owned: 39.2 million

• Total Value: $13.7 billion

• Notable: Although Gates has gradually reduced his holdings, his legacy as Microsoft’s visionary founder remains fundamental.

#3 Satya Nadella

• Background: Joining Microsoft in 1992, Nadella was key in developing the company’s cloud computing platform, Microsoft Azure. Appointed CEO in 2014, he has steered Microsoft’s strategic focus toward AI, cloud services, and digital transformation.

• Relative Stake: 0.01%

• Shares Owned: 800,000

• Total Value: $271.6 million

• Notable: Nadella’s leadership has revitalized Microsoft, solidifying its position as a global technology powerhouse.

#4 Bradford L. Smith

• Background: Smith joined Microsoft in 1993 and oversees legal and corporate affairs, including antitrust issues and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

• Relative Stake: 0.008%

• Shares Owned: 570,826

• Total Value: $200 million

• Notable: As Vice Chair and President, Smith represents Microsoft on critical issues such as cybersecurity, human rights, and AI ethics.

#5 Amy E. Hood

• Background: Hood joined Microsoft in 2002 and became CFO in 2013. She manages Microsoft’s global financial operations and is credited with driving the company’s financial performance and strategic growth.

• Relative Stake: 0.007%

• Shares Owned: 520,000

• Total Value: $170 million

• Notable: Hood plays a pivotal role in Microsoft’s leadership, steering financial strategy and investment priorities.

How to Gain Exposure to Technology and Market Trends with TMGM

While TMGM does not provide direct equity purchases for companies like Microsoft, you can still gain exposure to leading companies through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) available on the TMGM platform.

CFDs enable speculation on price movements of assets such as stocks, indices, and commodities without owning the underlying securities.

With TMGM, you can:

1. Open a TMGM Account: Begin by opening a trading account with TMGM.

2. Access the TMGM Web Platform: After account setup, log in to the platform for a comprehensive trading experience.

3. Set Up Your Trade: Configure your trade size, stop-loss, and take-profit levels according to your risk management strategy.