To buy Microsoft stock, open and fund a brokerage account, search for Microsoft Corporation’s Nasdaq ticker, MSFT, and place an order. In the U.S., you can also investigate Microsoft’s direct stock purchase plan, administered by Computershare. Buying a share gives you an ownership interest in the company, but its price can fall as well as rise, and you can lose money.
What are you buying when you buy MSFT?
Microsoft common shares trade on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol MSFT, according to Microsoft’s investor FAQ. A share represents an ownership interest in Microsoft Corporation. It is not a guaranteed return: stock prices fluctuate, and shareholders can lose money. If a company goes bankrupt and liquidates, common shareholders are last in line for any remaining proceeds, as the SEC’s Investor.gov stock guide explains.
Choose between direct MSFT ownership and broader exposure
First decide whether you specifically want to own Microsoft shares or want exposure to a wider group of stocks. A stock fund may hold MSFT, but its holdings depend on the fund’s objective and policies; owning fund shares is not the same as directly owning Microsoft common shares.
Brokerage account
A brokerage account is the usual route for placing an order for individual MSFT shares. It gives you access to the broker’s order types and account services, whose availability and terms vary by firm.
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Microsoft’s direct stock purchase plan
Microsoft identifies Computershare as the administrator of its direct stock purchase plan and dividend reinvestment plan on its shareholder services page. Contact Computershare and review the current plan documents before enrolling. Do not assume the plan’s fees, minimum purchase, eligibility rules, or execution timing without checking those documents.
Stock fund
A stock fund can provide exposure to multiple companies, depending on what it holds. Check the fund’s objective and holdings; buying a fund does not make you a direct shareholder of Microsoft.
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How to buy MSFT shares through a brokerage
- Choose an account and compare brokers. Review commissions and other fees, whether the broker offers fractional shares of MSFT, which order types it supports, how orders are executed, and whether you are opening a cash or margin account. The SEC’s fractional-share bulletin notes that availability and mechanics differ among firms, including eligible securities, order execution, order types, voting rights, and fees.
- Open and fund the account. Follow the broker’s application and deposit steps. Account availability and requirements depend on your location and the firm.
- Find the right security. Search for MSFT and verify that the issuer shown is Microsoft Corporation and the listing is Nasdaq. This check helps distinguish the intended common shares from similarly named securities or other products.
- Choose the order details. Select the amount or number of shares and an order type the broker offers. A market order and a limit order work differently: consult the broker’s explanation of how and when the selected order may execute. The share price changes, so review the live quote and order preview before submitting.
- Review and submit. Check the estimated cost, any disclosed fees, account type, and order details, then submit the order. Confirm its status in the account; placing an order does not by itself establish that it has executed.
- Keep records. Save confirmations and account statements. Tax treatment depends on your country and circumstances, so consult appropriate local tax guidance.
Brokerage versus Microsoft’s direct plan
| Consideration | Brokerage account | Microsoft direct stock plan |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it | The brokerage firm you choose | Computershare, identified by Microsoft as plan administrator |
| Fees and minimums | Vary by broker; check its current fee schedule | Current plan fees and minimums are not established here; check current plan documents |
| Order timing and price control | Order types and execution methods vary by broker | Direct plans commonly buy at scheduled times and an average market price, according to SEC guidance; verify Microsoft’s current plan terms |
| Fractional shares | Availability and mechanics vary by broker and security | Current Microsoft plan treatment is not established here; verify plan documents |
| Account services | Depend on the broker and account selected | Plan features and services depend on current plan terms |
The SEC describes common direct-plan features, not a guarantee of Microsoft’s present terms. Review the current Computershare materials before comparing the routes or enrolling.
Cash or margin: check the account setting
A cash account uses money you have deposited. A margin account involves borrowing from the broker and paying interest. Borrowing can magnify losses as well as gains; check the account agreement and selected setting rather than assuming the application has opened the account type you intended. See the SEC’s order and account information and its stock investing guidance for investor education.
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How to check Microsoft’s current stock price
Use a current market quote from your brokerage or a financial information service, and note the time of the quote: prices move during trading. Microsoft’s investor FAQ answers common questions about the stock, but a quote displayed elsewhere may be delayed or subject to that service’s terms. The price shown in your broker’s order preview is the relevant figure to review before submitting; it may change before execution.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
