Microsoft Announces Dividend and Stock Buyback Program

neile writes "Microsoft just announced some of their plans for their large cash reserves. This includes moving to quarterly dividend payments of $0.08 a share (up from $0.16 annually), and a special one-time dividend of $3.00 a share in December. The Board of Directors also approved a four-year, $30 billion, stock buyback plan."

Comments

The Linux caveat.....

[i_want_you_to_throw_]

Pay attention to the Forward Looking Statement..

"the availability of competitive products or services such as the Linux operating system at prices below our prices or for no charge; "

Re:seven businesses?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sure thing:

1 - Windows Client, including the Microsoft® Windows® XP desktop operating system, Windows 2000, and Windows Embedded operating system.
2 - Information Worker, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Visio®, Microsoft Project, and other stand-alone desktop applications.
3 - Microsoft Business Solutions, encompassing Great Plains and Navision business process applications, and bCentral(TM) business services.
4 - Server and Tools, including the Microsoft Windows Server System(TM) integrated server software, software developer tools, and MSDN®.
5 - Mobile and Embedded Devices, featuring mobile devices including the Windows Powered Pocket PC, the Mobile Explorer microbrowser, and the Windows Powered Smartphone software platform.
6 - MSN, including the MSN® network, MSN Internet Access, MSNTV, MSN Hotmail® and other Web-based services.
7 - Home and Entertainment, including Microsoft Xbox®, consumer hardware and software, online games, and our TV platform.

It's how the corporation is structured from a business perspective. http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/articles/business. asp

Re:No doubt about it

[tux_deamon]

I guess you missed the Microsoft Antitrust Trial that was in all the papers the last few years?

Re:Outstanding

[letxa2000]

I'm no fan of Microsoft, but the CNN article said that Bill will be donating his one-off special dividend (about $4.5 billion) to the Bill Gates foundation.