Form 4: Microsoft Director Mark Mason Reports Acquisition of 132 Shares as Stock Award

Microsoft Director Mark Mason has reported the acquisition of 132 shares of common stock as a fully vested award, increasing his beneficial ownership to 1,275 shares.

Summary

• Microsoft Corporation Director Mark Mason acquired 132 shares of common stock on June 10, 2025, as a stock award.
• The acquired shares were granted at a price of $0 and are fully vested on the date of grant.
• Following this transaction, Mark Mason's beneficial ownership of Microsoft common stock stands at 1,275 shares.
• The filing was signed by Julia Stark, acting as Attorney-in-Fact for Mark Mason, on June 11, 2025.
• An accompanying Power of Attorney, effective September 16, 2024, grants authority to Julia Stark and four other individuals to execute and file SEC Forms 4 and 5 on behalf of Mark Mason for Microsoft securities transactions, revoking a prior power of attorney.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is moderately positive. While the transaction is a routine stock award and not a direct purchase, an insider increasing their holdings, even through compensation, generally signals continued alignment and confidence in the company. There are no negative implications from this filing.

Positives

• An insider (Director Mark Mason) increasing his stake, even through a stock award, can be viewed as a positive signal of alignment with shareholder interests and confidence in the company's future.

Future Outlook

The document does not provide any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction.

Management Comments

• Mark Mason, through his Attorney-in-Fact, has confirmed the grant of authority to several individuals for the purpose of executing and filing SEC Forms 4 and 5 related to Microsoft securities transactions.

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine insider transaction, specifically a stock award, which is a common form of compensation for directors and executives in publicly traded companies across various industries. It does not reflect broader industry trends but rather individual compensation practices within Microsoft.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The acquisition of shares as a stock award at a $0 price is a standard practice for executive and director compensation across major corporations, including those in the technology sector like Apple, Amazon, and Google, where equity grants are a significant component of remuneration packages.
• The reporting of such transactions via SEC Form 4 is a standard regulatory compliance requirement for insiders of publicly traded companies in the U.S.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of 132 shares by Director Mark Mason is a stock award from Microsoft Corporation, representing a compensation-related transaction between an insider and the company.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The increase in a director's beneficial ownership, even via a stock award, can be perceived as a positive signal of management's vested interest in the company's performance and long-term value creation.

Next Steps

• Mark Mason and his designated Attorneys-in-Fact will continue to file SEC Forms 4 and 5 as required for future transactions involving Microsoft securities.

Key Dates

Keywords

Microsoft, MSFT, Mark Mason, SEC Form 4, Insider Trading, Stock Award, Beneficial Ownership, Director Compensation, Corporate Governance