Why MSFT Stock Is A Shareholder's Paradise?

Core Insights - Microsoft has returned an impressive $364 billion to shareholders over the past decade through dividends and buybacks, with over 20% returns year-to-date as of September 2025, outperforming broader market indices [2][3]. Shareholder Returns - The company initiated a $60 billion share buyback program in September 2024, extending into 2025, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding investors [4]. - In the first half of fiscal 2025, Microsoft returned $18.7 billion to shareholders, with $9.0 billion in Q1 and $9.7 billion in Q2, showcasing a disciplined capital deployment strategy [6]. Dividend Increases - Microsoft declared a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend in September 2025, raising it from $0.83 to $0.91 per share, continuing a trend of consecutive dividend raises [5]. Political and Regulatory Environment - Despite strong financial performance, Microsoft faces political scrutiny, highlighted by calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for the company to fire its global affairs president, reflecting the regulatory challenges large tech companies encounter [3]. Financial Performance Metrics - Microsoft reported a revenue growth of 14.9% over the last twelve months and a 12.5% average growth over the last three years, with a free cash flow margin of nearly 25.4% and an operating margin of 45.6% [12].