Seeking Alpha

Seeking Alpha Portfolio App for iPad

54,212 people get MSFT articles and Market Currents by email alert.

Get email alerts on MSFT »

MSFT

Microsoft Corporation

6/19/2013, 10:59 PM ET

Quote & Headlines Market Currents StockTalk

All
| Earnings
| Dividends
| M&A
| On the move

Wednesday, June 19, 5:05 PM Microsoft (MSFT) does an about-face, dropping the Xbox One's Internet verification requirements and all of its used game restrictions. GameStop (GME) investors are very pleased, shares +7.8% AH. Microsoft's change-of-heart follows a major backlash from gamers (they were far from appeased by Redmond's initial response), and plenty of gamer enthusiasm being shown for the PlayStation 4 (SNE), both due to its lack of similar restrictions and its lower price. 11 Comments [Tech, Consumer, On the Move]
Wednesday, June 19, 4:14 PM Nokia (NOK) +2.6% AH after the WSJ reports Microsoft (MSFT) held advanced talks to buy Nokia's phone business, and was "close to an oral agreement" at one point, but adds discussions broke down in part due to price and concerns about Nokia's competitive positioning. One source says the talks "took place as recently as this month, but aren't likely to be revived." 28 Comments [Tech, M&A, On the Move, Breaking News]
Tuesday, June 18, 5:05 PM The next version of Surface RT (MSFT) will rely on both Qualcomm (QCOM) and Nvidia (NVDA) CPUs, Bloomberg reports. Though details are scant, one likely possibility is that Nvidia (the sole supplier for the first-gen RT) will power Wi-Fi-only models, and Qualcomm will power 3G/4G-capable models. The report comes as all signs indicate Qualcomm is set to displace Nvidia as the Nexus 7's CPU supplier. Meanwhile, Microsoft is selling the 32GB version of RT for just $199 (a 60% discount) to schools until Aug. 31, the latest in a string of aggressive promotions ahead of a refresh that could be announced at the upcoming BUILD conference. 4 Comments [Tech]
Sunday, June 16, 8:54 PM "Nokia (NOK) has mostly nailed the design with the Lumia 925, but Windows Phone (MSFT) is holding it back," writes The Verge's Tom Warren while rating the phone 8.1/10. Warren likes the 925's aluminum build, performance, and low-light camera shots, but Windows Phone's app issues (not just in terms of availability, but also quality relative to similar iOS/Android apps) and missing features (reliable notifications, 1080p display support, etc.) remain a problem. Engadget's Mat Smith offers a similar take. Nokia exec Vesa Jutila admitted last month missing apps remains the "biggest complaint" of Lumia users; Microsoft is trying to address the problem by paying some developers $100K+ to build WP8 apps. 104 Comments [Tech]
Sunday, June 16, 3:44 AM Facebook (FB) has disclosed that it received 9,000-10,000 requests for information about 18,000-19,000 accounts from all U.S. government entities in H2 2012, whether those entities be local authorities or the NAS. Microsoft (MSFT) received 6,000-7,000 requests, although Google (GOOG) declined to provide the information, saying it wanted permission to provide more detailed data before releasing such information. 9 Comments [Tech, Consumer]
Friday, June 14, 9:21 AM Microsoft (MSFT) finally releases a version of Office for the iPhone. But the app requires an Office 365 subscription, and while users can create/edit Word and Excel docs, they can't yet do the same for PowerPoint. Interestingly, Microsoft tells The Verge it doesn't plan to create an iPad app, arguing the Office Web Apps are available. With mobile productivity apps typically going for $10 apiece or less (much less than PC Office app licenses or 365 subscriptions), Microsoft seems more interested in using Office mobile apps to drive 365 sales and differentiate Windows 8/Phone than anything else. Google (GOOG) offers its Quickoffice apps for free to Google Apps for Business subs. (previous) 12 Comments [Tech]
Thursday, June 13, 2:12 PM Global mobile ad sales will grow 79% in 2013 to $15.8B, and Google (GOOG) will account for $8.85B (56%) of them on the back of 92% growth, estimates eMarketer. Facebook's (FB) mobile ad sales are seen rising over 4x to $2.04B (12.9% share), Pandora's (P) 67% to $400M, Twitter's 121% to $310M, and Millennial Media's (MM) 71% to $120M. Total digital (Web/mobile) ad sales are expected to rise 10% in 2013 to $116.8B, with Google growing 19% to $38.8B, Facebook 38% to $5.89B, Microsoft (MSFT) 22% to $2.08B, LinkedIn (LNKD) 46% to $380M, and Yahoo (YHOO) just 3% to $3.63B. (U.S. mobile estimates) 4 Comments [Tech]
Thursday, June 13, 1:05 PM Following Apple's retail lead again, Microsoft (MSFT -0.9%) is opening 600 "Windows Stores" with 1.5K-2.2K sq. feet of real estate inside of Best Buy (BBY +0.6%) outlets, and another 100 within Canadian electronics chain Future Shop's stores. Like Microsoft's own retail outlets, both Microsoft and OEM partner hardware will be shown off. Also: Microsoft is set to launch an ad campaign that will simultaneously promote Windows 8 and Windows Phone, and the well-plugged-in Mary-Jo Foley reports hearing Microsoft's restructuring could yield "two leaders for each of its new business segments" (for example, a consumer head and a business head for the Services unit). 6 Comments [Tech, Consumer]
Thursday, June 13, 9:01 AM Microsoft (MSFT) declares $0.23/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. Forward yield 2.63%. For shareholders of record Aug. 15. Payable Sep. 12. Ex-div date Aug. 13. (PR) 1 Comment [Dividends]
Wednesday, June 12, 4:16 PM Microsoft (MSFT) isn't interested in Nook Media's (BKS -6.1%) digital assets, sources tell dealReporter. The report led Barnes & Noble shares to dive over the final 15 minutes of trading. TechCrunch reported of Microsoft's interest in Nook Media last month, but a source later told Insider Monkey Microsoft "has no intention" of making a deal. Comment! [Tech, Consumer, On the Move, M&A]
Wednesday, June 12, 2:20 PM H-P (HPQ +3.6%) is giving Google Apps (GOOG -0.8%) a big endorsement; the company is launching SMB IT in a Box, a solution that pairs H-P's PCs, printers, management software, and services with Google Apps subscriptions. SMB IT will be offered worldwide via H-P's giant reseller network by year's end. It arrives shortly after Microsoft (MSFT) gave Office 365 a feature-packed update in an effort to keep Google and other cloud rivals at bay, and to migrate customers to subscription plans. The Small Business Premium version of 365 goes for $12.50/user/month; Google Apps for Business goes for either $5/user/month or $50/year. 2 Comments [Tech]
Tuesday, June 11, 7:58 AM Clients were net sellers of stocks in May, according to the TD Ameritrade Investor Movement Index. The gauge declined for a 2nd consecutive month to 5.02 from 5.31 previously. Clients were net buyers across the materials sector (XLB), but reduced exposure elsewhere. After steadily accumulating the stock for months, clients turned net sellers of Apple (AAPL). Other tech names seeing selling: MSFT, CSCO, INTC. Notable buying activity: TSLA, BRK.B, KMP, VALE, LINE. 15 Comments
Monday, June 10, 11:27 PM The PlayStation 4 will cost $399, $100 less than the Xbox One, and go on sale "this holiday season," Sony (SNE) discloses at E3. Between the lower price and the PS4's lack of used game restrictions and online requirements, Sony is trying hard to woo gamers on edge over the One (MSFT). However, Sony is joining Microsoft in requiring a subscription to a premium service (PlayStation Plus) to access multiplayer gaming. 140+ PS4 games are said to be in development. The Gaikai cloud gaming service, which enables access to PS3 titles, will arrive on the PS3/PS4 in 2014. Anticipated first-person shooter Destiny, to be published by Activision (ATVI), has been previewed. (PS4 hardware/titles) (live blog) 13 Comments [Tech]
Monday, June 10, 3:11 PM Apple (AAPL -0.3%) announces iTunes Radio, its expected Pandora (P +3.2%) rival. The service is normally ad-supported, but is ad-free for iTunes Match ($25/year) subs. It supports Pandora-like station building and sharing, is integrated with iOS' Music app, and gives users the option to buy songs. Pandora has turned positive after trading lower earlier. Also: 1) Siri has been overhauled, and now includes Wikipedia/Twitter content, Bing (MSFT) results, and both male and female voices. 2) Apple launches iOS in the Car, a solution that mirrors iPhone content on in-car displays and is supported by 12 automakers. 3) iOS 7 also brings automatic app updates, a Photos app with automatic sorting and Instagram-like filters, and AirDrop file-sharing. (previous) (live blog) 23 Comments [Tech, Breaking News]
Monday, June 10, 2:22 PM The Xbox One will cost a hefty $499 when it goes on sale in 21 markets in November, says Microsoft (MSFT -1.1%). Though that price includes a bundled Kinect, it could be tough for some gamers to swallow, given the 360 (no Kinect included) currently goes for $200 (4GB flash) and $300 (250GB hard drive). The early reaction on Twitter isn't favorable. Microsoft is also showing off 13 exclusive launch titles at E3, and says a new Halo title will arrive next year. (previous) (live blogs: I, II) 16 Comments [Tech]
Monday, June 10, 12:52 PM The Xbox One will launch in November, Microsoft (MSFT -0.8%) discloses as its E3 conference event gets underway. The company is also showing off a sleeker/quieter Xbox 360 (it goes on sale today), and says Xbox Live Gold (costs $47/year on Amazon) subs will get two free game downloads per month, starting on July 1 - Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3 are the first two free titles. Microsoft has already spilled plenty of details about the One via last month's launch event and last week's blog posts. (live blogs: I, II) (previous) Comment! [Tech, Breaking News]

1
2
3
4
5
6
...
159
Next Page