Form 4: Microsoft Director John Stanton Receives Stock Award

Microsoft Director John W. Stanton was granted 125 shares of common stock as part of a compensation award, effective September 10, 2025.

Summary

• John W. Stanton, a Director of Microsoft Corporation, was granted 125 shares of common stock.
• The stock award is fully vested on the date of grant, September 10, 2025.
• The acquisition price for these shares was $0, indicating a compensation grant.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Stanton directly owns 78,630 shares and indirectly owns 3,622 shares through a Family Trust.
• A Power of Attorney, dated September 16, 2024, authorizes Julia Stark and others to execute and file Form 4 and Form 5 on behalf of John W. Stanton.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a routine stock award to a director, which is a positive for aligning interests but not a significant market-moving event. The Power of Attorney is a standard governance update.

Positives

• Director John W. Stanton received a stock award of 125 shares, indicating continued compensation and alignment with shareholder interests.
• The award is fully vested on the grant date, providing immediate beneficial ownership upon the effective date.

Negatives

• No negative aspects are identified in this routine compensation filing.

Risks

• No specific risks are mentioned in this Form 4 filing.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain specific forward-looking statements or guidance beyond the future effective date of the stock award.

Management Comments

• Represents stock award which is fully vested on the date of grant.
• I revoke my prior Microsoft Corporation Power of Attorney.
• This will confirm that, effective as of the date above, I have granted each of the individuals listed below the authority to, on my behalf, execute and file the Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities (Form 4) and the Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership (Form 5), in connection with transactions in Microsoft Corporation securities, as my Attorney-In-Fact.

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction for a director at a major technology company like Microsoft, reflecting standard equity compensation practices. Such grants are common across the industry to align management and director interests with shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of stock awards to directors is a standard practice in large-cap technology companies, comparable to compensation structures at companies like Apple, Google (Alphabet), and Amazon.
• The $0 acquisition price is typical for compensation grants, distinguishing it from open market purchases.
• The number of shares granted is relatively small for a company of Microsoft's size, suggesting it is part of a broader compensation package rather than a significant equity stake change.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The stock award is a compensation event between the company and a director, which is a related party transaction, but it is a standard, disclosed form of compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The stock award aligns the director's interests with shareholders, as his compensation is tied to the company's equity performance.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated.
• Customers: No direct impact on customers is indicated.
• Suppliers: No direct impact on suppliers is indicated.
• Creditors: No direct impact on creditors is indicated.

Next Steps

• The stock award will become effective and fully vested on September 10, 2025.
• The newly granted Power of Attorney will remain in effect for future Form 4 and Form 5 filings until revoked or reporting requirements cease.

Key Dates

Keywords

Microsoft, MSFT, John W. Stanton, Director, Stock Award, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Equity Compensation, Corporate Governance