<div id="readability-page-1">Next to artificial intelligence (AI), stock splits have been Wall Street's hottest trend. A stock split allows a company to cosmetically alter its share price and outstanding share count without any effect on its market cap or underlying operating performance. Following over a dozen big-time stock splits in 2024, a trio of brand-name businesses have followed suit this year. However, few companies can match the success, or sheer number of splits, software behemoth Microsoft (MSFT -0.20%) has brought to the table. <div><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84MjM2MjUvc3RvY2stY2VydGlmaWNhdGUtc3BsaXQtcHVibGljLWNvbXBhbnktc2hhcmVzLWludmVzdC1nZXR0eS5qcGcmdz03MDA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" height="461" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84MjM2MjUvc3RvY2stY2VydGlmaWNhdGUtc3BsaXQtcHVibGljLWNvbXBhbnktc2hhcmVzLWludmVzdC1nZXR0eS5qcGcmdz03MDA"/>Image source: Getty Images. </div> <h2>Breaking down Microsoft's stock-split history</h2> Microsoft made its debut as a public company on March 13, 1986, at an initial public offering (IPO) price of $21 per share. In the 39 years that have followed, it's completed nine stock splits: <ul> <li>September 1987: 2-for-1</li> <li>April 1990: 2-for-1</li> <li>June 1991: 3-for-2</li> <li>June 1992: 3-for-2</li> <li>May 1994: 2-for-1</li> <li>December 1996: 2-for-1</li> <li>February 1998: 2-for-1</li> <li>March 1999: 2-for-1</li> <li>February 2003: 2-for-1</li> </ul> A single share purchased on March 13, 1986 for $21 would have grown to a cumulative 288 shares, worth $141,710 (not including dividends), as of the closing bell on July 1, 2025. <h2>Microsoft may be poised for its 10th forward split</h2> Although access to fractional-share purchasing has reduced the urgency for companies to complete forward splits, Microsoft's meaningful share ownership by everyday investors, who hold 34% of its outstanding shares, and nominally high share price of $492.05, may coerce its 10th split sooner than later. Microsoft stock has benefited immensely from its aggressive investments in cloud computing and AI. Cloud infrastructure service platform Azure is No. 2 globally by spending -- a 23% share in the March-ended quarter, per Canalys -- and could see its sales growth reaccelerate as generative AI solutions are integrated into the platform. Don't overlook its legacy operations, either. While the growth heyday for Windows and Office is long gone, Microsoft's high-margin legacy segments generate boatloads of cash flow that it can use for high-growth initiatives, such as AI investments, stock buybacks, or its ever-growing dividend. </div>

MSFT

MSFL

MSFO

MSFD

MSFU

MSFX

MSFY

Microsoft's stock split history shows it has completed nine splits since its IPO in 1986, growing an initial share to 288 shares worth $141,710 by July 2025. With 34% of shares held by everyday investors and a high share price of $492.05, a 10th split may be on the horizon. Microsoft's investments in cloud computing and AI, particularly through its Azure platform, are driving growth, while its legacy operations continue to generate significant cash flow for future initiatives.

- Stock splits have become a significant trend on Wall Street, with Microsoft leading in the number and success of these splits.  
- Since its IPO in 1986, Microsoft has completed nine stock splits, resulting in a substantial increase in share ownership for investors.  
- With a high share price and strong performance in cloud computing and AI, Microsoft may soon execute its 10th stock split to accommodate its everyday investors.

Motley Fool

Microsoft

GraniteShares 2x Long MSFT Daily ETF

YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF

Direxion Daily MSFT Bear 1x Shares

Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares

T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF

Kurv Yield Premium Strategy Microsoft MSFT ETF

If You Bought 1 Share of Microsoft at Its IPO, Here's How Many Shares You'd Own Now