Microsoft IPO Date and Core Details
The Microsoft initial public offering took place on March 13, 1986, when the company began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker MSFT. The IPO price was set at $21 per share, and the offering raised approximately $61 million for the company, marking a pivotal moment in the history of personal computing and enterprise software. This information is confirmed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's historical filings and disclosures.
Microsoft's decision to go public came at a time when the company was transitioning from a programming languages provider to a dominant operating systems and productivity software platform. The IPO allowed early investors and employees to realize gains, while the capital infusion supported the aggressive expansion of the Windows operating system and the Office productivity suite. The event is widely documented in financial history sources and business archives.
IPO Price, Share Structure, and Early Market Performance
At the time of the offering, Microsoft issued shares at $21 per share, and the stock began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol MSFT. The initial offering consisted of a specific number of shares sold to institutional and retail investors, with the exact allocation structured to raise capital for product development and global expansion. The company's market capitalization at the time of listing was modest compared to its current valuation, reflecting its early stage in the technology sector.
In the days following the IPO, Microsoft's share price increased significantly, reflecting strong demand from investors who recognized the potential of the personal computer software market. The stock's early performance set the stage for long-term growth, as the company went on to dominate operating systems, enterprise software, and later cloud computing. Historical price data and trading volumes from the Nasdaq and financial data providers confirm the rapid appreciation in the months after the listing.
Microsoft's Growth After the IPO and Current Market Position
After the IPO, Microsoft expanded its product portfolio beyond MS-DOS and early Windows versions, introducing Microsoft Office, the Internet Explorer browser, and the Xbox gaming console. The company also made strategic acquisitions, including LinkedIn and GitHub, and built a dominant cloud computing business through Microsoft Azure. Today, Microsoft is one of the most valuable publicly traded companies in the world, with a market capitalization that consistently places it among the top global technology firms.
Microsoft's current business is organized around three primary segments: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. The company continues to innovate in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and cloud infrastructure, with Azure competing directly with other major cloud providers. Investors tracking the company's performance can find up-to-date financial results, revenue breakdowns, and market data through official earnings reports and financial news platforms.