Microsoft Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

Microsoft plans to acquire ZeniMax Media, parent of Bethesda Softworks, for $7.5 billion. This acquisition aims to expand Microsoft's gaming portfolio with iconic franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. By enhancing Xbox Game Pass with Bethesda's titles, Microsoft anticipates boosting its subscriber base, which has surpassed 15 million users. The acquisition is expected to close in 2021 with minimal impact on Microsoft’s operating income for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

Microsoft Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share, a 10% increase from the previous quarter's dividend. This dividend is scheduled for payment on Dec. 10, 2020, to shareholders of record as of Nov. 19, 2020, with an ex-dividend date of Nov. 18, 2020. Additionally, the company announced its 2020 Annual Shareholders Meeting will occur on Dec. 2, 2020, and will be hosted virtually by key executives.

On September 15, 2020, bp and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing digital transformation in energy systems and achieving net zero carbon goals. This collaboration focuses on four main areas: smart cities, clean energy parks, consumer energy insights, and Industrial IoT solutions. Microsoft will continue using Azure for bp's cloud infrastructure, while bp supplies renewable energy to meet Microsoft's goal of 100% renewable energy by 2025. Both companies commit to leveraging their expertise to drive sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

On August 24, 2020, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced an expansion of the digital alliance with Microsoft to enhance economic recovery through the new 'Accelerate' program. This initiative aims to address skill gaps exacerbated by COVID-19, focusing on underserved communities. Microsoft will invest over $1 million to facilitate digital literacy and workforce training, including partnerships with local educational institutions. The collaboration seeks to position Houston as a leader in innovation, AI, and digital equity, supporting both economic development and smart city initiatives.

Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership to enhance cloud-based workflows for live-action and animation productions. This collaboration aims to facilitate remote content creation, leveraging Microsoft's Azure platform. The partnership is also a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, streamlining production efforts across the industry. By integrating DreamWorks Animation's technology with Azure, they plan to improve digital resources and enable efficient collaboration among creatives.

On August 11, 2020, Standard Chartered Bank and Microsoft announced a three-year partnership aimed at advancing the bank's digital transformation through a cloud-first strategy. This collaboration will leverage Microsoft Azure to transition key banking applications to the cloud by 2025, enhancing operational efficiency, agility, and customer service. The initiative includes adopting AI and data analytics to personalize client experiences and improve banking processes. Additionally, Microsoft 365 and Teams will facilitate workplace productivity for over 84,000 employees across 60 markets.

Recorded Future has partnered with Microsoft Azure to enhance security operations for cloud environments. This collaboration allows clients to utilize Recorded Future’s threat intelligence within Microsoft services such as Azure Sentinel and Defender ATP. The integration aims to improve threat detection, prevention, and alert triage, ultimately increasing security efficiency and reducing operational disruptions. Key benefits include a 50% reduction in due diligence time and a 25% improvement in threat visibility. The partnership is designed to empower organizations to adapt swiftly to evolving security challenges.

Microsoft has licensed the Crowe Lease Accounting Optimizer for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, a solution aimed at improving lease accounting processes. This tool helps users automate lease accounting and comply with FASB ASC 842 and IFRS 16 standards. Crowe, a recognized leader in accounting and technology, will support existing users and continue providing digital accounting solutions. The software estimates present values, measures right-of-use assets, calculates journal entries, and generates necessary reports, streamlining compliance efforts for companies managing leased assets.

On July 27, 2020, PepsiCo and Microsoft announced a five-year partnership designating Microsoft as PepsiCo's preferred cloud provider. This collaboration will enhance PepsiCo's infrastructure and data management through Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Teams, benefiting its 270,000 employees worldwide. The partnership aims to boost operational goals and innovation, ensuring timely delivery of products amid rising consumer demand. PepsiCo generated over $67 billion in net revenue in 2019, emphasizing the significance of this alliance in driving efficiencies across its supply chain.