microsoft stock today: Live Snapshot & Guide

Microsoft stock today (MSFT)

As of January 26, 2026, this page explains what users mean when they search for "microsoft stock today", what live data and news typically matter for MSFT, and where to find reliable, near real‑time information. Reading this guide helps beginners and active trackers quickly interpret price snapshots, intraday moves, corporate events, analyst coverage, and the market context that shapes Microsoft stock today.

Overview and identification

Microsoft Corporation is a publicly traded company listed under the ticker MSFT on the NASDAQ. When people search "microsoft stock today" they are usually seeking a short, actionable snapshot of the company’s market price and real‑time signals — such as the last trade price, intraday change, pre‑market or after‑hours movement, and headlines that could have moved the stock.

Microsoft operates in three principal reporting segments: Productivity & Business Processes (Office, LinkedIn, Dynamics), Intelligent Cloud (Azure, server products, enterprise services), and More Personal Computing (Windows, Surface, Xbox, search advertising). Because Microsoft combines software, cloud infrastructure, enterprise services, and consumer-facing products, investors and market watchers track MSFT closely. The company’s scale, cash flows, and strategic investments (notably in AI and cloud services) mean that both near‑term news and long‑term trends can influence microsoft stock today.

Real-time price and market snapshot

When someone asks for "microsoft stock today" they expect a live market snapshot. Typical live fields you will see on quote pages or brokerage interfaces include:

• Last trade price and timestamp — the most recent executed trade price.
• Net change and percent change — difference vs. previous close, and the percent movement.
• Bid and ask — current best bid (buy) and ask (sell) prices.
• Intraday high and low — the highest and lowest trade prices during the current trading session.
• Volume and average daily volume — how many shares have traded today vs. a historical average.
• Pre‑market / after‑hours price — trades executed outside regular market hours (when applicable).
• Market capitalization — last trade price × shares outstanding (measures company market value).
• Key ratios and stats — P/E ratio, forward P/E, dividend yield, 52‑week range, beta, shares outstanding.

These are the fields most platforms refresh for "microsoft stock today" displays. For investors tracking MSFT intraday, seeing these items together offers a compact picture of price action, liquidity, and valuation context.

Typical data fields and how they're reported

Market data originates from exchanges (NASDAQ for MSFT) and is distributed through market data vendors and brokerage platforms. Some important notes:

• Real‑time vs delayed feeds: Exchanges and many paid data vendors provide real‑time quotes. Public websites sometimes display quotes delayed by 15 to 20 minutes unless they have paid real‑time data subscriptions.
• After‑hours and pre‑market: Trades outside standard U.S. market hours are reported separately and can show where microsoft stock today might open the next session.
• Timestamp and source: Always check the timestamp and the data provider (exchange feed, consolidated tape, or a broker) to confirm freshness.

Recent market performance and intraday movement

When checking "microsoft stock today", market participants typically look at performance over several horizons to interpret what the intraday move means. Common intervals include:

• 1 day (intraday): shows the immediate reaction to news or earnings.
• 1 week and 1 month: reveal short‑term trends and momentum.
• Year‑to‑date (YTD) and 52‑week: provide seasonal and longer‑run perspective.

Example metrics investors use alongside a price snapshot are:

• Price return for each interval (e.g., +1.2% intraday, −3.5% YTD).
• Relative performance vs relevant indices (NASDAQ, S&P 500) and peer group.
• Intraday technical levels: VWAP (volume‑weighted average price), key moving averages (50/200 day), and intraday support/resistance.

These metrics put the raw number for "microsoft stock today" into meaningful context for short‑term monitoring and for tracking how today’s moves compare with broader trends.

Recent news and events affecting today's price

Microsoft stock today responds to many categories of news. On any given day, price movement can be driven by:

• Earnings releases and management guidance (quarterly revenue, EPS, segment growth figures such as Azure growth rates).
• Product announcements and strategic initiatives (AI chips, new cloud services, enterprise deals).
• Analyst research notes: upgrades, downgrades, and revised price targets can move shares intraday.
• Macro factors: Federal Reserve decisions, interest‑rate expectations, currency moves, and geopolitical headlines.
• Market‑wide sentiment: sector rotations into or out of technology or large caps.

As an illustrative example: as of January 26, 2026, major media coverage noted that Microsoft, Meta, and Apple were scheduled to report earnings in the same week — a calendar concentration that often increased volatility for microsoft stock today. Also, company announcements such as a new AI chip reveal (for example, reported announcements about Microsoft's Maia‑class AI investments in recent coverage) can become a proximate catalyst for intraday movement.

Notable recent company developments

Below are representative categories of developments that investors watch (these items are examples of the types of news you would monitor when checking "microsoft stock today"):

• AI hardware and software launches (increasing capital spending in data centers, partnerships with chipmakers, or internal AI silicon development).
• Azure growth updates and enterprise cloud contract wins, which directly affect the Intelligent Cloud segment.
• Product and feature rollouts in Copilot, Office 365, Dynamics, Windows and Xbox ecosystems.
• Strategic partnerships or acquisitions that expand Microsoft’s AI, cybersecurity, or cloud capabilities.
• Regulatory or legal developments that could impact business practices, data usage, or revenue streams.

Keep in mind: any single announcement can have short‑term price impact and sometimes a longer‑term implication for microsoft stock today depending on scope and market reaction.

Financials and earnings

Earnings releases, quarterly results, and guidance are central to interpreting microsoft stock today. Key items investors look for in company filings and earnings reports include:

• Revenue by reporting segment (Productivity & Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, More Personal Computing).
• Gross margin, operating income, and net income/earnings per share (EPS).
• Free cash flow generation and cash on the balance sheet.
• Capital expenditures and data center investment guidance.
• Forward guidance and management commentary on growth drivers.

For reliable primary documents, use Microsoft Investor Relations for SEC filings and official earnings releases. Earnings calls and slide decks usually provide the clearest explanation of management’s view — and markets react quickly to surprises versus consensus estimates.

Upcoming earnings and historical earnings impact

Scheduled earnings dates are critical when searching for "microsoft stock today" because msft’s price can gap on earnings day and in pre‑market or after‑hours trading. Historical patterns show that:

• Beat or miss on EPS/revenue versus consensus often causes significant intraday moves.
• Guidance revisions and commentary on capital spending (especially AI/data center spend) can shift investor expectations and re‑rate the stock.

As noted in the market context for January 26, 2026, Microsoft was among a group of tech megacaps reporting in the same week — an environment that elevated market attention and potential intraday volatility for microsoft stock today.

Analyst coverage and market sentiment

Analyst research remains a frequent short‑term driver for microsoft stock today. Elements that matter:

• Consensus rating (Buy/Outperform/Neutral) and the median or mean price target.
• Notable upgrades or downgrades from major broker research — both the direction and the reasoning (valuation, competitive advantage, cloud/AI spending outlook).
• Changes to financial models: revisions in revenue or EPS estimates for coming quarters/years.

Market narratives around AI investments, competitive positioning (for example versus other large cloud providers), and cost discipline are often reflected quickly in analyst notes and can influence intraday price dynamics.

Ownership, institutional holders, and insider activity

Large institutional ownership and index inclusion (S&P 500, NASDAQ, MSCI indices) contribute to liquidity and relative stability. When someone checks "microsoft stock today" they may wish to know:

• Top institutional holders (mutual funds, pension funds, ETFs) and their typical holding horizons.
• Insider transactions reported to regulators; large insider buys or sells can prompt attention but should be interpreted in context.
• ETF flows and passive ownership changes (rebalancing events can temporarily boost volume and affect short‑term price).

Because Microsoft is a mega‑cap, it is widely held by institutional investors and included in many benchmark funds, which tends to support tight bid/ask spreads and high liquidity in microsoft stock today.

Trading, liquidity, and derivatives

Liquidity characteristics are important for anyone monitoring "microsoft stock today":

• Average daily traded volume: MSFT typically posts very high average daily volume relative to most equities, which translates to tight spreads and strong execution quality.
• Options market: Microsoft has a deep options market, with significant open interest and many expiration cycles; options activity (unusual volume or skew) is often monitored by traders as a short‑term sentiment indicator.
• Block trades, program trading, and ETF flows: because MSFT is a large component of major indices, index rebalances and large institutional orders can move the stock intraday.

Derivatives dynamics can amplify intraday moves, but the presence of a deep options market also enables sophisticated hedging that supports orderly price discovery in microsoft stock today.

Dividends, corporate actions and shareholder returns

When checking "microsoft stock today" some users also look for dividend and shareholder‑return information. Key items:

• Dividend policy and recent dividend amount: Microsoft pays a regular quarterly dividend; the yield is calculated by annualized dividend divided by the current share price.
• Share buybacks: ongoing repurchase authorization and execution can be material to EPS and total shareholder return.
• Stock splits: historical splits are part of corporate history; any future split announcement would be a discrete event affecting share count and price per share.

Corporate actions and capital allocation decisions — dividends and buybacks — are long‑term value drivers and are often highlighted in earnings commentary or investor relations updates used when people look up "microsoft stock today".

Risks and factors influencing Microsoft stock today

When monitoring microsoft stock today, users should be aware of the principal risk categories that can affect price in the short and medium term. These include:

• AI adoption risks and competition: speed of enterprise AI adoption, competitive pressure from other cloud and AI providers, and capital intensity of AI infrastructure.
• Regulatory and legal risk: antitrust, privacy, data‑protection rules, and international regulatory actions can have material effects.
• Macro environment: interest rates, dollar strength, and global economic growth that influence tech valuations and enterprise IT budgets.
• Supply chain and capital intensity: data center hardware supply, chip availability, and capex cost trends.

These risk categories are not exhaustive but represent commonly monitored drivers behind changes to microsoft stock today.

How to check "Microsoft stock today" — data sources and tools

Reliable sources and tools for a fresh, accurate view of microsoft stock today include:

• Real‑time market pages and news outlets (CNBC, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, CNN Markets, and other major financial media). These sources combine quotes with news flow.
• Microsoft Investor Relations for official filings, earnings slides, and press releases.
• Brokerage platforms and trading terminals that provide real‑time quotes, level‑2 data, and execution (for retail users, Bitget provides quote and market monitoring features; Bitget Wallet is suggested for web3 integrations where relevant).
• Market data vendors and professional terminals for institutional users who need consolidated tape, time & sales, and more granular microstructure data.

Note on real‑time access: some public websites show delayed feeds unless you have a real‑time subscription. For trading or active monitoring of microsoft stock today, use a platform that explicitly states real‑time quotes and the exchange data source.

Example use cases

People searching "microsoft stock today" usually have one of these intents:

• Quick price check: verify the current trade price and intraday change before making a decision.
• Earnings watch: monitor price action and after‑hours moves around quarterly results.
• News reaction: see how Microsoft responds to a product announcement or regulatory development.
• Trading or hedging: review liquidity, options activity, and order book conditions to plan executions.

Each use case requires slightly different data depth — a casual check needs only last trade and percent change, while a trader monitoring execution needs order‑book depth and real‑time tape.

See also

• Microsoft (company) overview and business model
• NASDAQ listing and market structure basics
• Stock market basics: bids, asks, and order execution
• Cloud computing and AI market primers
• List of large‑cap technology stocks

References and sources

• Microsoft Investor Relations (official filings and earnings releases)
• CNBC (quotes and financial news)
• Yahoo Finance (price data, charts, news)
• MarketWatch (market data and historicals)
• CNN Markets (market commentary)
• The Motley Fool (investment commentary)
• Public.com and Robinhood (retail brokerage quote pages and educational content)
• Select market coverage summarized from the January 26, 2026 news cycle (reports compiled from mainstream financial outlets and analyst‑research summaries)

Notes for editors

This article is intended as a living document for the query "microsoft stock today". The phrase "today" requires either automated live data embeds or clear links to real‑time feeds. For accuracy, embed or link to exchange timestamps and the primary source (NASDAQ feed or a licensed vendor). Update the sections that reference calendar events (earnings, Fed meetings) each reporting cycle. The piece must avoid specific investment recommendations and maintain neutral, factual language.

Further exploration: to monitor microsoft stock today with real‑time quotes, customizable alerts, and market data, consider using Bitget’s market tools and Bitget Wallet for web3 integrations. Bitget provides real‑time feeds and portfolio tracking that help you stay informed without needing multiple sources.

Practical checklist when you search "microsoft stock today"

1. Confirm the timestamp and data source (real‑time vs delayed).
2. Note last trade price, net change, and percent change.
3. Check pre‑market/after‑hours if outside regular trading hours.
4. Scan headlines for earnings, product, or analyst news.
5. Review volume and options activity for liquidity signals.
6. If relevant, consult Microsoft Investor Relations for official disclosures.

How the market context on January 26, 2026 related to microsoft stock today

As of January 26, 2026, per coverage in major financial outlets including Yahoo Finance and CNBC, markets were contending with a busy calendar: a Federal Reserve policy meeting and a concentrated week of Big Tech earnings (Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, and Apple among the notable reporters). That combination can influence microsoft stock today through two channels:

• Macro channel: Fed guidance on rates and economic outlook affects discount rates and sector rotation into or out of tech.
• Earnings channel: multiple megacaps reporting in close succession concentrates volatility and investor attention, increasing cross‑stock correlations and intraday moves.

In addition, analysts’ research activity around the same period (upgrades and downgrades across the technology sector reported in consolidated research summaries) added to volatility patterns. For example, the research roundup from the market day included sector upgrades and downgrades that helped set expectations for earnings and growth narratives; while these notes were not always directly about Microsoft, the broader tech tone contributes to intraday pressure on microsoft stock today.

Data fields you can quantify when checking microsoft stock today (and where to verify them)

• Market capitalization: verify via consolidated exchange quote or company investor relations.
• Intraday volume and average daily volume: available on most quote pages; compare today’s volume against 30‑ or 90‑day averages.
• P/E ratio and forward P/E: calculated from trailing EPS and analyst consensus estimates; verify via established financial data providers.
• Dividend yield and payout dates: confirm on Microsoft Investor Relations or official dividend announcements.
• Options open interest and implied volatility: available through options chains on trading platforms and professional data vendors.

Whenever you report a numeric snapshot of microsoft stock today, include the timestamp and the source to ensure verifiability.

Common mistakes to avoid when interpreting microsoft stock today

• Treating delayed quotes as real‑time: make sure the feed is labeled real‑time.
• Overemphasizing single headlines: intraday blips can reverse as the broader market digests news.
• Ignoring liquidity and execution costs: large orders can move price in thin markets even for big names.
• Confusing pre‑market moves with regular session direction: pre‑market reflects early reaction but not always the final session outcome.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Where can I get the most reliable "microsoft stock today" price? A: The most reliable source is the exchange consolidated tape (NASDAQ) or licensed real‑time vendors. For retail users, reputable brokerage platforms and major financial news sites with real‑time feeds are practical options; Bitget offers market monitoring and real‑time quotes within its platform.

Q: How often does microsoft stock today change price? A: Continuously during market hours. Price updates occur with each executed trade; some platforms also provide streaming updates (ticks) while others refresh at intervals.

Q: Does Microsoft pay dividends and where is that shown when I check "microsoft stock today"? A: Microsoft pays a quarterly dividend; dividend yield and the most recent dividend amount are typically displayed alongside quote metrics on financial pages and in investor relations materials.

Q: Are pre‑market and after‑hours prices reliable for trading decisions about microsoft stock today? A: They are informative but less liquid. Pre‑market/after‑hours trades can indicate sentiment, but execution costs and price discovery differences mean outcomes can change when regular trading resumes.

Editorial style and compliance notes

• This article maintains a neutral, factual tone and does not provide investment advice.
• All references to live price or market data should include timestamps and data sources when updated.
• When recommending execution venues or wallets, Bitget and Bitget Wallet are the preferred mentions for this page context.

Final guidance: staying organized when tracking microsoft stock today

1. Set up alerts for price thresholds, news mentions, and earnings releases within your chosen platform.
2. Keep a short watchlist that includes MSFT relative to key peers and indices.
3. Use official filings and earnings slides for any fundamental interpretation.
4. For fast reaction to market news, use a platform with real‑time feeds and a clear timestamp stamp; Bitget can provide real‑time market watch and alerting for active users.

Further exploration: use the platform tools you trust to monitor microsoft stock today in real time, subscribe to company investor updates, and review analyst research summaries to understand market sentiment without relying on a single source.