[Form 4] Microsoft Corp Insider Trading Activity
Bradford L. Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), reported transactions on Form 4 for 09/02/2025. A performance stock award granted in September 2022 fully vested for the 3-year performance period ended June 30, 2025, resulting in the acquisition of 47,877 shares at no cash cost. Concurrently, 24,992.231 shares were disposed of at an average price of $506.69, leaving Mr. Smith with 473,945.7633 shares beneficially owned after the reported transactions. The filing was signed by an attorney-in-fact on 09/03/2025.
- Performance award vested: Full vesting of a 3-year performance stock award granted in September 2022 delivered 47,877 shares to the reporting person.
- Substantial retained ownership: After transactions, the reporting person still beneficially owns 473,945.7633 shares, indicating continued significant stake in MSFT.
- Shares disposed: 24,992.231 shares were sold at $506.69, reducing beneficial ownership versus pre-transaction levels.
- Limited disclosure on purpose: The Form 4 does not state whether the disposition was for tax withholding, diversification, or other reasons, so intent is unclear.
Insights
TL;DR: Executive received vested performance shares and sold a portion, a common post-vesting tax or liquidity action that modestly reduced holdings.
The filing shows full vesting of a 3-year performance award awarded in September 2022 and the acquisition of 47,877 shares at $0, which reflects compensation delivered as equity rather than cash. The subsequent disposition of 24,992.231 shares at $506.69 is consistent with share-withdrawal to cover taxes or diversify; the report does not specify the reason. Beneficial ownership remains substantial at 473,945.7633 shares. This is routine for senior executives and does not, by itself, indicate governance concerns.
TL;DR: The transaction reflects payout of a performance-based equity award with partial disposition, aligning pay with multi-year performance.
The description explicitly ties the vested shares to a performance stock award under the Microsoft Executive Incentive Plan for the 3-year period ending 06/30/2025. Acquisition of 47,877 shares at $0 confirms equity-based compensation delivery. The disposal of 24,992.231 shares at $506.69 reduces net holdings but leaves a large retained stake. The filing lacks details on tax-withholding mechanics or whether the sale was to satisfy tax obligations, so exact compensation cash flow cannot be determined from this document alone.