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 equity stakes, impacting proxy voting outcomes, board accountability, and long-term strategic direction.
• Among individual shareholders, Steve Ballmer is the largest holder, 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 gain exposure to Microsoft price movements via CFDs, enabling speculation without owning the underlying shares; however, leverage magnifies both profits and losses and necessitates disciplined risk management.

Microsoft Ownership: Shareholder Structure

Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft rapidly became 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 its product portfolio to include productivity software, consumer entertainment, and enterprise solutions, becoming one of the world’s most valuable corporations.

Today, Microsoft’s offerings span artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and innovative platforms like LinkedIn and Microsoft Azure. Its stock is a core holding for many investors, with ownership distributed as follows: 71.46% institutional investors, 6% insiders, and 24% retail investors.

Top 5 Institutional Shareholders

#1 Vanguard Group

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

#2 BlackRock Inc

• Overview: Founded in 1988, BlackRock is a leading investment management and financial services firm, managing assets for a diverse client base including pension funds and government entities. It also operates Aladdin, a sophisticated risk management platform widely used in 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, often shaping company policies through its significant equity stakes.

#3 State Street Corporation

• Overview: Established in 1792, State Street is a venerable financial services and asset management firm offering a broad 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 significant 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 wide 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 investment management firm serving a global client base, including individuals and institutions. It is known 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 strong 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 Gates as CEO in 2000 and led the company until retiring in 2014.

• Relative Stake: 4.48%

• Shares Owned: 333.2 million

• Total Value: $115.8 billion

• Notable: Ballmer’s significant shareholding makes him the largest individual shareholder, granting him considerable 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 philanthropy. He was instrumental in developing flagship 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 reduced his stake over time, his legacy as Microsoft’s visionary founder remains foundational.

#3 Satya Nadella

• Background: Joining Microsoft in 1992, Nadella was key in developing the company’s cloud computing platform, Microsoft Azure. He became CEO in 2014, steering Microsoft’s strategic pivot 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 been pivotal in Microsoft’s resurgence, solidifying its position as a global technology leader.

#4 Bradford L. Smith

• Background: Smith joined Microsoft in 1993 and has overseen 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 including 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 critical role in Microsoft’s leadership team, steering financial strategy and capital allocation.

How to Gain Exposure to Technology and Market Trends with TMGM

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

CFDs enable traders to speculate on the 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 registering an account with TMGM.

2. Access the TMGM Web Platform: Once your account is active, log in to the platform for a full-featured trading experience.

3. Set Up Your Trade: Configure your trade size, set stop-loss and take-profit orders in line with your risk management strategy.