Microsoft Corporation, a leading technology conglomerate, exhibits a robust dividend payment history with consistent growth reflective of its financial strength and strategic market position. Despite a comparatively low dividend yield, the company's emphasis on steady dividends with a substantial growth rate demonstrates its commitment to rewarding shareholders. Investors may find the stability and growth trajectory appealing, though the relatively modest dividend yield highlights a focus on reinvesting profits for continued innovation and market leadership.
This section provides an overview of Microsoft's dividend profile, highlighting key financial metrics and historical performance indicators.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Sector | Technology |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% |
| Current Dividend Per Share | $2.93 |
| Dividend History | 23 years |
| Last Cut or Suspension | None |
Microsoft's well-documented dividend history underscores its financial robustness and commitment to shareholder value through consistent payouts.
| Year | Dividend per Share (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.49 |
| 2024 | $3.08 |
| 2023 | $2.79 |
| 2022 | $2.54 |
| 2021 | $2.30 |
The progressive increase in Microsoft's dividend payouts illustrates its sound financial management and profit allocation towards enhancing shareholder return.
| Time Period | Growth |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 10.22% |
| 5 years | 10.26% |
The average dividend growth is 10.26% over 5 years. This shows moderate but steady dividend growth.
Payout ratios reveal how much of a company's earnings are distributed as dividends, providing insights into sustainability and financial strategy.
| Key Figure | Ratio |
|---|---|
| EPS-based | 22.54% |
| Free Cash Flow-based | 31.39% |
With an EPS-based payout ratio of 22.54% and a Free Cash Flow-based ratio of 31.39%, Microsoft's dividend payouts appear sustainable, reinforcing its financial health and prudent management.
Microsoft's cash flow and capital efficiency indicators show its adeptness in effectively managing financial resources to maximize shareholder value.
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 3.38% | 2.35% | 2.18% |
| Earnings Yield | 3.78% | 2.85% | 2.60% |
| CAPEX to Operating Cash Flow | 26.83% | 32.09% | 37.52% |
| Stock-based Compensation to Revenue | 4.54% | 4.54% | 4.38% |
| Free Cash Flow / Operating Cash Flow Ratio | 73.17% | 67.91% | 62.48% |
Microsoft's cash flow metrics and capital efficiency reflect robust operational control, enabling sustained reinvestment in growth while maintaining ample liquidity.
The analysis of Microsoft's balance sheet metrics offers insights into its leverage management, financial stability, and overall capital structure.
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt-to-Equity | 36.79% | 29.08% | 25.00% |
| Debt-to-Assets | 16.79% | 14.56% | 13.11% |
| Debt-to-Capital | 26.89% | 22.53% | 20.00% |
| Net Debt to EBITDA | 47.23% | 24.03% | 21.15% |
| Current Ratio | 1.78 | 1.77 | 1.27 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.27 |
| Financial Leverage | 2.19 | 2.00 | 1.91 |
Leverage ratios indicate Microsoft's prudent financial management, ensuring efficient use of debt financing while maintaining sufficient coverage and liquidity buffers.
Microsoft's fundamental strength through profitability metrics highlights its competitive advantage and operational excellence in generating investor returns.
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity | 43.68% | 35.09% | 32.83% |
| Return on Assets | 19.94% | 17.56% | 17.21% |
| Net Margin | 36.69% | 34.15% | 35.96% |
| EBIT Margin | 43.26% | 43.07% | 45.17% |
| EBITDA Margin | 50.56% | 49.61% | 54.26% |
| Gross Margin | 68.40% | 68.92% | 69.76% |
| Research & Development to Revenue | 12.36% | 12.83% | 12.04% |
The company's high profitability and operational efficiency underscore its competitive market positioning and long-term value creation strategy.
Evaluating Microsoft's dividend performance using a comprehensive scoring approach:
| Criteria | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3 | |
| Dividend Stability | 5 | |
| Dividend growth | 4 | |
| Payout ratio | 5 | |
| Financial stability | 5 | |
| Dividend continuity | 5 | |
| Cashflow Coverage | 4 | |
| Balance Sheet Quality | 5 |
Microsoft Corporation exhibits exceptional financial quality with consistent dividend payments, robust cash flow management, and market-leading profitability. The comprehensive score of 36 out of 40 affirms its standing as a secure dividend investment. This stability, coupled with strong growth metrics, makes Microsoft a worthy consideration for investors prioritizing sustainable income and capital appreciation.