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About
History
Differences between Investing vs Trading
About
History
Differences between Investing vs Trading
Microsoft has become a household name, but the company's history dates back to 1975 when its founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen formed a partnership. By 1980, Microsoft had developed its popular operating system, MS-DOS, and went public in 1986 with an initial public offering price of $21 per share. As Microsoft continued to create software for both consumer and business markets, its stock price soared, reaching over $50 per share by the 1990s.
In the 2000s and beyond, Microsoft expanded into new industries such as video game consoles and cloud computing services. Its shares now trade at over $125 each, making Gates one of the richest individuals in the world. Despite facing legal challenges along the way, Microsoft remains a dominant force in technology thanks to its longstanding commitment to innovation and creativity.
The history of Microsoft is long and storied. The company was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and went public in 1986 with its initial public offering of shares. In the early years, the company focused mainly on computer language and operating systems, releasing MS-DOS in 1981. However, over the years it expanded into various other areas including productivity software, video game consoles, and even mobile phones.
In recent years, the company has seen shifts in leadership as well as increasing competition in the tech industry. Despite these challenges, Microsoft remains a major player in the tech world with a market cap currently standing at over $1 trillion dollars. Its history is one of ambition and adaptation as it continues to evolve with the changing demands of the industry.
When it comes to buying and selling Microsoft shares, there are two main avenues for trading - investing and CFDs (Contracts for Difference). The primary difference is the use of leverage. When investing, an individual buys and holds a set number of share contracts, meaning their investment is limited to the actual funds they have available.
With CFD trading, however, traders can open larger positions with the use of leverage, essentially borrowing funds from their broker to increase their potential profits (though this also increases the risk). Another key difference is that investors typically hold on to their shares for longer periods of time, while CFD traders frequently make shorter-term trades. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, so it's important to carefully consider which approach is best suited for your own trading strategy.
| Swap long | [[ data.swapLong ]] points |
|---|---|
| Swap short | [[ data.swapShort ]] points |
| Spread min | [[ data.stats.minSpread ]] |
| Spread avg | [[ data.stats.avgSpread ]] |
| Min contract size | [[ data.minVolume ]] |
| Min step size | [[ data.stepVolume ]] |
| Commission and Swap | Commission and Swap |
| Leverage | Leverage |
| Trading Hours | Trading Hours |
* The spreads provided are a reflection of the time-weighted average. Though Skilling attempts to provide competitive spreads during all trading hours, clients should note that these may vary and are susceptible to underlying market conditions. The above is provided for indicative purposes only. Clients are advised to check important news announcements on our Economic Calendar, which may result in the widening of spreads, amongst other instances.
The above spreads are applicable under normal trading conditions. Skilling has the right to amend the above spreads according to market conditions as per the 'Terms and Conditions'.
Trade [[data.name]] with Skilling
All Hassle-free, with flexible trade sizes and with zero commissions!*
- Trade 24/5
- Minimum margin requirements
- No commission, only spread
- Fractional shares available
- Easy to use platform
*Other fees may apply.
FAQs
Which are the competitors of Microsoft shares?
Microsoft shares are currently competing with some of the big players in the industry. These include tech giants such as Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook. As of mid-2020, Microsoft is the second largest publicly traded company by market capitalization after Apple. The competition continues to be fierce as these companies jostle for position in the ever-changing technology landscape.
Other key players in Microsoft’s competition include Oracle Corporation, IBM, and so on. These companies have powerful brands and their own respective strengths that give them an edge over Microsoft.
Who owns most Microsoft shares?
The largest institutional shareholder of Microsoft is the Vanguard Group Inc., which holds 603 million shares (7.84% of total outstanding shares) valued at over $25 billion. BlackRock Inc. follows closely with 484 million shares (6.36% of total outstanding shares) valued at more than $20 billion. Rounding off the top three institutional shareholders is State Street Corp., which owns 387 million shares (5.05% of total outstanding shares) worth around $16 billion.
Do Microsoft shares pay dividends?
Yes, Microsoft shares pay dividends. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.62 per share, with the total annual dividend amounting to $2.48 per share in 2022. As of November 2022 tge yield on Microsoft’s stock is 1.13%, which means that for every $100 worth of Microsoft shares purchased, investors will receive $1.13 in dividends per year. Microsoft has a history of increasing its dividend consistently, so investors can expect a steady return on their investments.
With its sound financials and attractive dividend yield, Microsoft could be an ideal stock for conservative investors who want to generate income while diversifying their portfolios.
Why Trade [[data.name]]
Make the most of price fluctuations - no matter what direction the price swings and without capital restrictions that come with buying the underlying asset.
CFDs
Equities
Capitalise on rising prices (go long)
Capitalise on falling prices (go short)
Trade with leverage
Hold larger positions than the cash you have at your disposal
Trade on volatility
No need to own the asset
No commissions
Just low spreads
Manage risk with in-platform tools
Ability to set take profit and stop loss levels
