Microsoft Historical Stock Price (MSFT): Long-term Performance and Milestones

The microsoft historical stock price refers to the financial performance record of Microsoft Corporation (Ticker: MSFT), a cornerstone of the global technology sector. Listed on the NASDAQ, Microsoft is a mega-cap leader and a primary constituent of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices. For investors and analysts, tracking MSFT's historical data provides essential insights into the evolution of software, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) markets.

1. Overview of MSFT Market Listing

Microsoft Corporation trades under the ticker symbol MSFT on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. As one of the world's largest companies by market capitalization, it is often grouped within the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks. Its historical price trajectory serves as a benchmark for the broader equity market, reflecting decades of innovation and corporate transformation.

2. Initial Public Offering (IPO)

Microsoft made its debut on the public market on March 13, 1986. The initial offering price was set at $21.00 per share. During its first day of trading, the stock rose to $28.00, successfully raising approximately $61 million. This IPO is widely regarded as one of the most successful in financial history, laying the groundwork for the company’s future dominance in the personal computing era.

3. Long-term Price Performance & Eras

3.1 The Dot-com Bubble (Late 1990s)

During the late 1990s, Microsoft’s stock experienced rapid appreciation fueled by the internet boom and the dominance of the Windows operating system. The price reached a significant peak in late 1999. However, the subsequent bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000 led to a sharp correction, mirroring the broader volatility seen in the tech sector at the time.

3.2 The Stagnation Period (2000–2013)

Following the dot-com crash, Microsoft entered what many analysts call a "lost decade." Between 2000 and 2013, the microsoft historical stock price remained largely range-bound. While the company remained highly profitable, its stock price struggled to regain previous highs as it navigated antitrust challenges and a transition in leadership from Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer.

3.3 The Cloud Computing & AI Era (2014–Present)

The appointment of Satya Nadella as CEO in 2014 marked a turning point. Under a "cloud-first, mobile-first" strategy, Microsoft’s stock entered an era of exponential growth. Driven by the success of Azure, Office 365, and more recently, massive investments in Artificial Intelligence—including a strategic partnership with OpenAI—MSFT has consistently reached new record highs.

4. Historical Milestones and All-Time Highs

Microsoft has crossed numerous psychological price barriers throughout its history. When adjusted for splits, the stock's growth is staggering. In recent years, MSFT has frequently vied for the title of the world's most valuable company. As of early 2025, according to reports from 8marketcap, Microsoft maintains one of the highest market valuations globally, often exceeding the $3 trillion threshold.

5. Stock Split History

To keep share prices accessible to a broader range of investors, Microsoft has executed nine stock splits since its IPO. These splits impact the cumulative share count and the price per share without changing the overall market value of an investor's holding.

6. Dividend History and Yield

Microsoft transitioned into a dividend-paying stock in 2003. Initially viewed as a growth stock that reinvested all earnings, the move to pay dividends signaled the company’s maturity and financial strength. Over the past two decades, Microsoft has established a consistent track record of increasing its quarterly payouts, making it a staple for dividend growth investors.

7. Comparative Performance

7.1 Performance vs. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100

Historically, MSFT has been a primary driver of returns for major indices. During the cloud and AI era, the stock has significantly outperformed the S&P 500. Its heavy weighting in the Nasdaq 100 means its price movements often dictate the direction of the broader tech market.

7.2 Peer Comparison

Microsoft’s historical price often shows strong correlation with other "Big Tech" entities. For example, while stocks like Apple (AAPL) or Alphabet (GOOGL) may lead in consumer hardware or advertising, Microsoft's dominance in enterprise software and cloud services (Azure) provides it with a unique revenue stability that is reflected in its historical volatility metrics.

8. Technical Indicators and Trading Volume

8.1 Historical Volatility and Beta

Microsoft is generally considered to have a lower Beta compared to high-growth, speculative tech stocks, indicating more stability. Its historical volatility has decreased as it diversified its revenue streams into subscription-based models (SaaS), which offer more predictable cash flows.

8.2 Average Daily Trading Volume

MSFT remains one of the most liquid stocks in the world. Its average daily trading volume regularly exceeds millions of shares, ensuring that institutional and retail investors can enter or exit positions with minimal slippage. High volume typically accompanies major earnings announcements or product launches.

9. Data Resources for Investors

Investors looking for raw microsoft historical stock price data can access several authoritative platforms. Authoritative sources include the Microsoft Investor Relations portal, Yahoo Finance, and Nasdaq. These platforms provide daily, monthly, and yearly records, including Open, High, Low, Close (OHLC) prices and adjusted closing prices for dividends and splits.

As the digital finance landscape evolves, investors are increasingly looking at how traditional tech giants like Microsoft integrate with emerging technologies. While MSFT represents a pillar of the traditional stock market, many investors also utilize platforms like Bitget to diversify their portfolios into digital assets, tracking market cap movements across both equities and cryptocurrencies.