Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares jumped as much as 4.4 percent on Monday after CNBC reported that ValueAct Capital has taken a $2 billion stake in the company. The stock has gained approximately 16 percent since the beginning of the year, and if it keeps gaining, this would be its best annual performance in more than three years.
Data indicates that a $2 billion stake in Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is less than 1 percent of the company, but it’s enough to make the activist investing firm one of the company’s top 5 investors, according to CNBC.
Jeff Ubben, the head of ValueAct, is expected to share more on his explanation for investing in Microsoft later today on CNBC. The fund’s investment into Microsoft represents one of the largest and possibly even the largest investment it has made in its history, according to CNBC’s David Faber. He also said the firm’s $2 billion stake could even increase further.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has faced pressure by investors who are concerned about the company’s reliance on PC sales, which have decelerated dramatically. Also, the company’s stock hasn’t really done anything in several years. It’s trading at around the same price it did more than a decade ago. Faber points out that ValueAct is known for assisting the management of companies it invests in, and often its executives end up on the boards of those companies. Investors could see ValueAct’s interest in Microsoft as a big plus for the company.
ValueAct does not typically comment on its investments directly to media, and it declined CNBC’s offer to comment initially. However, Jeff Ubben, the head of ValueAct, is expected to share more on his explanation for investing in Microsoft later today on CNBC.
