How To Buy Microsoft Stock

You can buy Microsoft shares with one of the brokers below depending on the type of trading you wish to conduct. You can buy Microsoft shares with a broker like eToro or you can trade Microsoft CFDs with XTB you can begin trading Microsoft shares right away.



Broker eToro XTB Trading212 Plus500 FXPrimus FP Markets
Used By 12,000,000+ 250,000+ 14,000,000+ 15,500+ 10,000+ 10,000+
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Scroll down to read our indepth article on How To Buy Microsoft Stock. What you should know, Types of trading Microsoft Stock and CFD's. Pros and Cons, everything is explained below.

How To Buy Microsoft Stock Table of Contents

Microsoft Financial Details

Financial Details

Microsoft Stock symbol MSFT
Microsoft Sector and Industry Technology Software
Microsoft Exchange NASDAQ - National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations exchange
52 Week High $174.05
52 Week Low $102.35
Microsoft Market Capitalisation $1,296,526,822,685.00
Microsoft Average Volume 24,883,584.00
Microsoft PE 29.7
Microsoft EPS 5.74
Stock Currency USD

Overview of Microsoft

Microsoft is an American Technology Software company currently traded on the NASDAQ which fully known as the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations exchange.

Microsoft trades under the stock symbol MSFT on the NASDAQ.

Microsoft shares are exchanged in USD on the NASDAQ.

Microsoft has a current share price of $170.44 USD dated 31/01/2020.

The highest Microsoft share price over the last 52 weeks was $174.05 USD and its lowest price over the last 52 weeks was $102.35 USD. That is a 52 week price range of $102.35 - $174.05.

Microsoft Trading Volume and PE

Microsoft currently has 7,606,047,000.00 active shares in circulation traded through the NASDAQ exchange.

Microsoft market capitalization is $1,296,526,822,685.00 with an average daily trading volume of 24,883,584.00 shares.


Microsoft has a Price Earning Ratio ( PE ) of 29.7 and earning per share ( EPS ) of 5.74. Generally speaking Microsoft having a high P/E ratio means that Microsoft investors forsee increased growth with Microsoft in the future. The current average market P/E ratio is roughly 20 to 25 times earnings. Companies that are losing money do not have a P/E ratio.

Microsoft earnings per share is Disney company profit that's allocated to every Microsoft common stock. Earnings per share is calculated by taking the difference between Microsoft's net earnings and dividends paid for preferred stock and then dividing that amount by the average amount of Microsoft shares outstanding.

Microsoft Financial Charts

Financial Details

Microsoft Information

Microsoft Location & Contact Information

Address 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052 United States
Phone Number 1-425-882-8080
Website URL

Microsoft Executives and Board Members

Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella
President/Chief Legal Officer Bradford L Smith Brad
Chief Diversity Officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre
Microsoft Board Member John W Thompson
Microsoft Board Member William Henry Gates III
Microsoft Board Member Penny S Pritzker

How To Buy Microsoft Stock Guide

Buying Microsoft Stocks and CFDs

When investing in Microsoft you have several options as to what type of investment you wish to conduct. You can buy traditional Microsoft shares with one of our listed brokers or you can trade what is known as CFDs or contracts for difference.

We explain in detail the difference between buying Microsoft shares with stock brokers and trading Microsoft with CFDs below.

Microsoft CFD Trading vs Traditional Share Dealing

CFD trading is quite much like stock trading except when you exchange a CFD you do not actually own any Microsoft stock.

If you buy Microsoft shares with a stock broker you actually own a share of Microsoft. When you trade a contract for difference (CFD) you have an agreement with your CFD broker and are speculating that the Microsoft price will change up or down.

Lets explain why you would buy Microsoft as a CFD instead of as a share.

If you went and brought 100 Microsoft shares at $100 a share with a stock broker you own $1000 of Microsoft.

The main difference when trading Microsoft as a CFD and buying Microsoft as a share is contracts for difference offer increased leverage.

Contracts for difference are traded on margin which means to have $1000 invested in Microsoft you would not need to invest the full amount as you would with a stock broker. You could invest a fraction of the amount ( known as the CFD margin ) with a CFD to hold a similar position in Microsoft. Trading an Microsoft CFD allows investors to hold larger positions than their invested amount. Be aware that although investing in an Microsoft CFD like this amplifies any potential profit. It always exaggerates your potential losses which may exceed your amount invested.

If you invested in an Microsoft share with a stock broker you would only lose the amount you invested as you pay the total cost of your position to your broker upfront. There is no leverage.

An Microsoft CFD long would be hoping to profit from a rise in the Microsoft share price. An Microsoft CFD short would be aiming to profit from a fall in the Microsoft stock price. Trading CFDs allows traders to profit from both directions of the Microsoft price on the financial exchange. Giving traders greater chance to move with the financial markets.

With traditional Microsoft shares you can only profit from a rise in the Microsoft stock price.

Microsoft CFD and Stock Market Times

When trading in traditional Microsoft shares you are limited to when the stock exchange is open. You can only buy and sell with your broker when the market is open.


Buying Microsoft Shares with a Broker

Buying shares with a stock broker limits your risk to your initial investment as stock brokers require you to pay for the total amount of your investment. Stock brokers offer no leverage or loans when buying Microsoft stock. This limits your risk to your initial amount invested in Microsoft. You can only lose the amount invested with traditional Microsoft shares. Another benefit of buying Microsoft shares with a broker is that you may be eligible to receive Microsoft company dividends if applicable.

If you Invest in Microsoft via a CFD you have no shareholder privileges as you don't actually own any underlying assets in Microsoft. If you buy Microsoft stock with a broker you may receive shareholder perks and benefits. There are certain requirements to be eligible for some of these Microsoft benefits as in owning a certain amount of stock for a set period.

If you own shares in Microsoft you may be eligible to voting rights at Microsoft shareholder general meetings.

Microsoft Shares and CFDs and Tax


Investment in Microsoft Stocks and shares are only exempt from tax if the Microsoft shares were brought through an ISA ( Individual Savings Accounts ) or SIPP ( Self Invested Personal Pensions ).

Should I trade Microsoft Stocks and Shares or Microsoft CFDs?

There are pros and cons to trading in both Microsoft Stocks and CFDs. Which is better depends on each investor and a few factors.

Investing in Microsoft stocks and shares is better suited for long term investments. Historically Microsoft shares provide better returns over the long term, usually a 10 year period.

Microsoft CFD trading is more suited to intra day and mid term traders. Wth intra day trading on an Microsoft share investors aim to profit on the fluctuating highs and lows of the Microsoft price throughout the day. Day trading as you can imagine focuses on profiting from the daily Microsoft stock price change.


With CFD trading as you can short or long an Microsoft stock you can hedge a trade against another trade.

A hedge is an investment that protects the money you have invested from risk. Traders hedge to minimize or offset a loss in value of an Microsoft share price for example to a known amount.

Example Cost of Buying Microsoft as a CFD Trade and Shares Side by Side



Microsoft CFD trade example Microsoft Share deal example
Market price $170.44 $170.44
Broker Deal Invest $34.088 at 1:5 Margin (20%) Buy at $170.44 a share
Deal size 100 shares 100 shares
Initial outlay


(Margin = exposure x 20% margin factor)


(100 shares at $170.44)
Stamp duty No £20
Close price Sell at $204.528 Sell at $204.528
Estimated Profit

(34.088 point increase x 100 shares = $3408.8)

*Not including commission fees and taxes

($20452.8 - $17044 = $3408.8)

*Not including commission fees and taxes
Trade Microsoft CFDs now with XTB Trade Microsoft Shares now with Etoro


Our brokerage comparison table below allows you to compare the below features for brokers offering Microsoft shares and CFDs.

We compare multiple aspects of brokers to help you make a more education decision when investing in Microsoft.