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Microsoft Corporation is one of the largest companies in the world, operating in the technology sector, founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
Globally recognized for developing the Windows family of operating systems, the company also offers a suite of productivity applications under Microsoft Office, as well as the Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge web browsers.
Its diversified portfolio includes cloud computing solutions through Azure, productivity tools such as Office 365, communication services like Skype, and entertainment products including the Xbox gaming consoles.
With a global presence, Microsoft operates across numerous countries through offices, data centers, and strategic partnerships, serving individual consumers, businesses, and governments in over 190 countries.
History and Founding of Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen with the initial goal of developing and commercializing software for personal computers, specifically targeting the software products and services industry.
The company’s first major project was the creation of a BASIC language interpreter for the Altair 8800 computer, considered one of the world’s first personal computers.
Microsoft’s first major success came in 1980, when it signed a partnership with IBM to provide the MS-DOS operating system, which became an industry standard.
This agreement fueled the company’s growth and led to the launch of the Windows operating system in 1985, featuring a more intuitive graphical interface aimed at the mass market.
In the 1990s, Microsoft solidified its market leadership with the launch of Microsoft Office, which became the benchmark for productivity software. In 1995, the release of Windows 95 marked a revolution in personal computing, popularizing computer use in homes and businesses worldwide.
In 2001, the company diversified its operations by launching the Xbox gaming console, entering the digital entertainment segment and competing with industry giants such as Sony and Nintendo.
Starting in the 2010s, under the leadership of Satya Nadella—who became CEO in 2014—Microsoft shifted its focus toward cloud computing with the launch of the Microsoft Azure platform and expanded its corporate presence through strategic acquisitions such as Skype Technologies and LinkedIn.
As a result, the company achieved significant milestones in subsequent years, becoming the third U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of USD 1 trillion in 2019, further strengthening its position in the technology sector.
Between 2020 and 2024, Microsoft ramped up investments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and gaming, with major acquisitions including:
2021: Acquisition of Nuance Communications for USD 19.7 billion, expanding its presence in AI-driven healthcare solutions.
2022: Purchase of Activision Blizzard for USD 68.7 billion, strengthening the Xbox Game Studios portfolio and consolidating its presence in the digital entertainment industry.
Currently headquartered in Redmond, Washington (USA), Microsoft continues to expand its operations and invest heavily in artificial intelligence, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity—positioning itself as one of the most influential companies in the world.
Additional Information
The Company Microsoft Corporation (United States), is listed on Nasdaq with a market cap of $ 3.50 Trillions, having an equity of $ 363.08 Billions.
With a total of 163.000 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Technology and categorized in industry of Software.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 293.81 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 104.91 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 33.39, a P/BV ratio of 9.65 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of MSFT was at 0.70%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker MSFT.
