Thu Dec 26 11:10:00 UTC 2024: **Investment Firm Adjusts Microsoft Holdings Amidst Broader Market Activity**

**New York, NY (Feb 27, 2024)** – Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. reduced its stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) by 4.5% in the third quarter, selling 1,887 shares, according to a recent 13F filing. Despite the reduction, Microsoft remains Benedict’s second-largest holding, representing approximately 4% of its portfolio. The firm’s holdings were valued at $17.1 million at the end of the reporting period.

This adjustment comes as several other institutional investors significantly altered their positions in Microsoft. International Assets Investment Management LLC dramatically increased its holdings by 48,526.1%, while Wulff Hansen & CO., Assenagon Asset Management S.A., Strategic Financial Concepts LLC, and PineStone Asset Management Inc. also substantially boosted their stakes during the second and third quarters.

Meanwhile, Microsoft executives, EVP Judson Althoff and CMO Takeshi Numoto, sold 25,000 and 1,000 shares, respectively, on November 22nd, decreasing their holdings by 17.57% and 1.71%. Insiders sold a total of 41,200 shares last quarter.

Microsoft’s stock price closed at $439.33 on Tuesday, up $4.08, following the release of its October 30th earnings report, which exceeded analyst expectations. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.30 on revenue of $65.59 billion. The company also announced a $60 billion share buyback program and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share.

Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a “Moderate Buy” rating and a consensus price target of $509.90 according to MarketBeat.com. However, opinions vary, with recent actions ranging from downgrades by Oppenheimer to price target increases by Mizuho and UBS Group.

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