Form 4: Microsoft Director John W. Stanton Receives Stock Award, Updates Power of Attorney for SEC Filings

Microsoft Director John W. Stanton reported the acquisition of 132 shares of common stock as a fully vested award, bringing his total direct beneficial ownership to 78,505 shares, while also updating his Power of Attorney for future SEC filings.

Summary

• John W. Stanton, a Director of Microsoft Corp (MSFT), acquired 132 shares of common stock on June 10, 2025, as a stock award.
• The acquired shares were fully vested on the date of grant and were valued at $0 per share for reporting purposes, indicating they were likely part of a compensation package.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Stanton directly beneficially owns 78,505 shares of Microsoft common stock.
• Additionally, Mr. Stanton indirectly beneficially owns 7,243 shares through a Family Trust.
• A new Power of Attorney, effective September 16, 2024, was filed, revoking a prior one and authorizing Julia Stark, Benjamin O. Orndorff, Michael Pressman, Keith R. Dolliver, and Christyne Mayberry to execute and file Form 4 and Form 5 on his behalf for Microsoft Corporation securities transactions.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately positive as it indicates a director's increased stake in the company, aligning interests with shareholders. The Power of Attorney update is a neutral, administrative action ensuring compliance.

Positives

• The acquisition of 132 shares by a director aligns management's interests with those of shareholders, as the director's stake in the company increases.
• The stock award is fully vested on the date of grant, providing immediate ownership to the director.

Future Outlook

The document does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding Microsoft's future performance or strategic direction. It is a transactional report related to insider ownership.

Management Comments

• John W. Stanton, through his attorney-in-fact, signed the Form 4, confirming the reported transaction and beneficial ownership.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing is a routine disclosure required by the SEC for corporate insiders, such as directors, officers, and significant shareholders, to report changes in their beneficial ownership of company securities. Such filings are common across all publicly traded companies and provide transparency into insider trading activities. The Power of Attorney is an administrative document ensuring compliance with these reporting requirements.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The granting of stock awards to directors is a standard practice in corporate compensation across various industries, including technology, to align the interests of board members with those of shareholders.
• The reporting of such transactions via Form 4 is a mandatory compliance requirement for all U.S. public companies, consistent with global benchmarks for transparency in insider dealings.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of 132 shares is a stock award granted by Microsoft Corporation to John W. Stanton, a director, which constitutes a related party transaction.
• John W. Stanton's indirect beneficial ownership of 7,243 shares through a Family Trust also represents a related party interest.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The director's increased ownership stake can be seen as a positive signal, aligning management's interests with shareholder value.
• Regulatory Authorities: The filing ensures transparency and compliance with SEC regulations regarding insider transactions.

Next Steps

• John W. Stanton will continue to be subject to Section 16 reporting requirements for transactions in Microsoft Corporation securities.
• The authorized attorneys-in-fact will continue to file Form 4 and Form 5 on his behalf as needed.

Key Dates

Keywords

Microsoft, MSFT, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Award, Director Compensation, Beneficial Ownership, Corporate Governance, Power of Attorney