Microsoft Corporation is a multinational corporation in Redmond, Washington. The Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 Office, and the Edge internet browser – are some of Microsoft’s most popular offerings. The Xbox video gaming consoles and the Surface Tablet section of touch-sensitive PCs are its important hardware products.
Founder Story:
Bill Gates and Paul Allen established Microsoft in 1975. The duo first entered the tech world with Traf-O-Data in 1972, selling a basic computer for traffic data analysis, propelled by their programming skills.
They created Altair BASIC in 1975, inspired by the Altair 8800 microcomputer, and successfully demonstrated it to MITS. This resulted in the formation of Microsoft on April 4, 1975, with Gates as CEO.
The name, a combination of “micro-computer software” reflected the company’s focus on software for personal computers.
Microsoft’s watershed moment came in 1980 when it launched MS-DOS, an operating system for IBM’s PC. This move cemented Microsoft’s dominance, and the company rose to prominence as a leading vendor of PC operating systems.
The release of Windows 1.0 in 1985 marked the beginning of the Windows line’s success. Microsoft released the Microsoft Office suite in 1990, which included applications such as Word and Excel. With the release of the Xbox in 2001, the company expanded into gaming, making headlines for itself in the video game console business.
Prominent actions:
The 1995 official launch of Windows 95, which included Internet Explorer, was a huge success, gaining massive market share.
Bill Gates gave Steve Ballmer the CEO’s job in 2000, and Microsoft faced legal challenges, along with an antitrust case. The release of Windows XP and the Xbox in 2001 solidified Microsoft’s position. With the Xbox, the company branched into hardware and later brought products such as the Zune series and Surface devices.
Microsoft continued to diversify, launching Azure in the cloud computing market in 2008. Windows 7, which was released in 2009, was concentrated on enhancing the customer experience. The 2013 acquisition of Nokia’s mobile unit was directed at enhancing Microsoft’s position in the smartphone market, but it faced competition from Apple and Android. The release of Windows 10 in 2015 demonstrated Microsoft’s dedication to advancements and user experience.
Leadership Changes and Recent Developments
In 2014, Satya Nadella was appointed CEO, emphasizing a cloud-first strategy. Microsoft’s acquisitions, such as LinkedIn in 2016 and GitHub in 2018, demonstrated the company’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio.
The company signed a deal to buy ZeniMax Media and Affirmed Networks in 2020, further strengthening its presence in gaming and information technology. Notably, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2022 marked a significant shift in the gaming industry, establishing the company as a major player.
Microsoft’s commitment to innovation is evident in initiatives such as Windows 11, which was released in 2021, as well as its investments in artificial intelligence.
Microsoft is still evolving, with its announcements including a multibillion-dollar investment deal with OpenAI and the establishment of an advanced AI research team.
Microsoft Share Price History
| Year | Share Price | Gain / Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $ 0.17 | |
| 1987 | $ 0.38 | + 123.5% |
| 1988 | $ 0.37 | - 2.6% |
| 1989 | $ 0.60 | + 62.2% |
| 1990 | $ 1.05 | + 75.0% |
| 1991 | $ 2.32 | + 121.0% |
| 1992 | $ 2.67 | + 15.1% |
| 1993 | $ 2.52 | - 5.6% |
| 1994 | $ 3.82 | + 51.6% |
| 1995 | $ 5.48 | + 43.5% |
| 1996 | $ 10.33 | + 88.5% |
| 1997 | $ 16.16 | + 56.4% |
| 1998 | $ 34.67 | + 114.5% |
| 1999 | $ 58.38 | + 68.4% |
| 2000 | $ 21.69 | - 62.8% |
| 2001 | $ 33.12 | + 52.7% |
| 2002 | $ 25.85 | - 22.0% |
| 2003 | $ 27.37 | + 5.9% |
| 2004 | $ 26.72 | - 2.4% |
| 2005 | $ 26.15 | - 2.1% |
| 2006 | $ 29.82 | + 14.0% |
| 2007 | $ 35.60 | + 19.4% |
| 2008 | $ 19.44 | - 45.4% |
| 2009 | $ 30.48 | + 56.8% |
| 2010 | $ 27.91 | - 8.4% |
| 2011 | $ 25.96 | - 7.0% |
| 2012 | $ 26.71 | + 2.9% |
| 2013 | $ 37.41 | + 40.1% |
| 2014 | $ 46.45 | + 24.2% |
| 2015 | $ 55.48 | + 19.4% |
| 2016 | $ 62.14 | + 12.0% |
| 2017 | $ 85.54 | + 37.7% |
| 2018 | $ 101.57 | + 18.7% |
| 2019 | $ 157.70 | + 55.3% |
| 2020 | $ 222.42 | + 41.0% |
| 2021 | $ 336.32 | + 51.2% |
| 2022 | $ 239.82 | - 28.7% |
| 2023 | $ 373.34 | + 55.7% |
| 2024 | $ 414.20 | + 10.9% |
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- During 1986, the share price of Microsoft was $ 0.17.
- If you had bought shares worth $ 2500 in 1986, you would have 147059 shares today.
- At the end of 2024, the current value of your shares would be $ 60911765.
Microsoft Share Returns Comparison
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