How to Buy Microsoft Shares UK

This latest suggestive guide will go over some of the basic steps you might take to buy Microsoft shares. Buying Microsoft shares is only part of a much broader process, and so you might find some further information in this article useful, such as finding a suitable trading platform, selling Microsoft shares, and other pieces of info.

Also consider: Which stocks to buy today

Disclaimer: This is only a suggestive guide and does not amount to or constitute investment advice. Please be aware that buying, trading and/or investing in assets, including Microsoft stocks, will put your capital at risk. Nothing is ever guaranteed.

Microsoft (MSFT) Live share price

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A Simple 6-Step Suggestive Guide on How to Buy Microsoft Shares UK

If you are looking for a simple and suggestive step-by-step guide, then you can find that right here. This is only an example guide and presents some of the possible steps you might take in order to buy Microsoft stock.

Step One: Finding and Choosing a Suitable Trading Platform

A first step you might need to take to start the process of buying Microsoft shares is to find and select a suitable trading platform or online broker. There are now loads of different platforms and brokerages to choose from. This can be a positive thing as you can be spoiled for choice. However, things may get somewhat confusing with so many to choose from.

This is why it can be worthwhile taking some time to browse all of the available options, so you can land on the best platform or brokerage that is best suited for you and your individual needs. Each platform and brokerage is likely to offer very different experiences. And most importantly, everyone is likely to have different expectations and needs.

When you have browsed some of the possible options, it can be useful to look at some of the latest reviews and comments about the platform or brokerage. This can give you an idea of what to expect and how other traders have experienced the service.

It is also good practice to carefully choose a platform or brokerage that is not only reputable but is also fully authorised and regulated by an official financial regulatory body.

Step Two: Registering for a New Account

One of the next steps that you might need to take is to register for and open a new trading account. The account will let traders and share buyers to buy, sell and store their assets. There can be a lot of different account providers to choose from. This is another situation where it can be useful to set yourself some time to think about your options and consider the differences in accounts available to you.

Setting up an account is quite simple and shouldn’t take too long to complete. Most account providers will require some personal details. This can typically include a full name, address, National Insurance Number, and bank account details.

Due to the sensitive nature of setting up an account for these purposes, it is likely that a new account will need to be verified before it is activated and useable. Some of the most common ways to verify a new account is to supply the provider with some form of official identification, such as a passport or driver’s licence.

This is another instance where the account provider should be reputable and also fully authorised and regulated by an official regulatory body.

Step Three: Think about How you will Fund your Share Purchases

The next step can most commonly be to think about how you are going to fund your share purchases. Everyone who is looking to buy shares in a company like Microsoft is going to have different financial means as well as different aims and objectives.

This can be a good place to start thinking about what you can afford to do and to consider your personal financial situation before you make any firm commitments. Buying, investing and/or trading Microsoft shares is highly risky and will put your capital at risk, so it can be good practice to think carefully about your options and your personal finances beforehand.

When it comes to actually making deposits, there are usually a number of different ways to deposit money to buy Microsoft stock. Payment methods may vary between providers. Some of the most common payment methods can typically include the usual options such as debit card and credit card payments, as well as direct bank transfers. Some providers and services may offer additional payment options, such as electronic wallets, including PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.

Be mindful that some providers may set minimum deposit amounts for each transaction. Some may even charge deposit fees with each transaction. Be sure to check with the provider directly for clarity.

Step Four: Search for the Microsoft Corporation Stock Market Code on your Trading Platform

Now that you have a platform sorted out, you may want to start looking at Microsoft stocks directly. This can be done quite easily by searching for the Microsoft stock market code on your trading platform.

Each platform is likely to have its own search bar function to really make things simple for users. Everything is made even easier with the unique ‘ticker’ code. According to the Nasdaq Exchange, where Microsoft is listed, the company’s ticker code is MSFT.

The ticker symbol MSFT can be used to find out some quick information about Microsoft, the current Microsoft share price, and also options to buy and sell Microsoft shares.

Step Five: Conduct Extensive Research into Microsoft Corporation and Microsoft Stock

This next suggestive step may be considered one of the most important steps to take during the process and before buying, trading or investing in Microsoft stock. Conducting extensive research into Microsoft Corp and Microsoft stock can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating to get through, but it can make a big difference both in the short term and long term.

When it comes to doing research into a new share purchase opportunity and the company offering their shares for purchase, it can be useful to bear in mind the question of whether now is the best time to buy those shares on a personal level. Everyone is likely to be in very different positions when making this decision, both financially speaking and with the goals of an investment.

It can be useful to do enough research for yourself up to a point where you can feel comfortable to make a decision about whether now is the best time to buy Microsoft shares. Research can give you a good overview of the company and what it could mean for you on a number of levels. It can help give you a better chance of making an informed decision about buying Microsoft shares.

Shares can be subject to change and fluctuate at any given time. This can even happen during a single trading day between the trading hours.

The amount of information can be extensive and cumbersome. Some potentially useful pieces of info to find out may include Microsoft’s share price, the company’s past performance, their previous, current and projected profits, the company’s business model, revenue growth, market cap, and other bits of info. Some may want to look at forecasts from other investors, traders and professionals. However, forecasts are only ever speculative and are not certainties or guarantees.

In some cases, it may be useful to seek independent advice from a professional consultant in the field. They may be able to provide investment advice about the company and whether it is a good time to buy Microsoft stock based on a personal evaluation.

Step Six: Are you Ready to Buy Microsoft Stock?

If you have considered the previous suggestive steps, then you may want to start asking yourself whether you are ready to buy Microsoft stock.

Another factor to consider beforehand is to note down your aims and targets and then compare them with your personal financial situation. Remember that buying, investing and/or trading will put your capital at significant risk, and nothing is guaranteed.

A Short Overview of Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft is perhaps one of the biggest technology companies that everyone is familiar with. At a basic overview, the American-based company is a producer of computer software, computers, and electronics as it is based in the information technology industry.

As Microsoft works in the technology sector, it produces a number of different products. This includes software, social networking services, cloud computing, video games, and hardware.

Microsoft operates a number of very big and renowned brands. This includes Windows Operating System, Xbox, Skype, and Office. Microsoft also has a number of services under its wing, including Outlook.com, Microsoft store, LinkedIn, 365, and OneDrive.

Microsoft Corp was founded in 1975 in the state of New Mexico in the USA. The original founders were Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The current Microsoft headquarters is based in Redmond Way in Washington.

The company founder Bill Gates is still involved with the company as a technical advisor. The current Chairman and CEO at Microsoft is Satya Nadella. The current Vice Chairman and President at Microsoft is Brad Smith.

Microsoft is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Exchange. According to the Nasdaq, the unique ticker code is MSFT. Microsoft is also a component of the Nasdaq 100 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 100 Index, and the S&P 500 Index. As of 2020, Microsoft was listed as 21st in the Fortune 500 rankings, measuring the largest companies in the US by revenue.

Factors to Consider Before you Buy Microsoft Stocks

When it comes to buying shares or going forward with a new investment opportunity, it can be wise to think about some factors before you leap in head first. Here are some of the things that I sometimes keep in mind and consider before I buy shares in a company.

Doing your Own Research

As I have already highlighted, doing your own research into a company is a good way of getting to grips with things and to know what you are getting yourself into. Research can sometimes be a drag and time-consuming, but it can be very beneficial.

Doing research before you make a commitment can help you make a more informed decision and allows you to weigh up all of your options. Sometimes research can reveal things that might not sit well with you, and buying shares may not be the best option to go with.

There can be a lot of different avenues to go down when researching. You may want to look into the current Microsoft share price, along with the lowest and highest share price over the history of the company, the company’s past performance, the highest quarterly revenue growth, and the projected profits and dividend information.

This is only a short example of what you might want to look into, and there can be loads of other areas to think about and research. It can also be beneficial to compare the information with other tech companies that operate in the same industry to give you a better idea.

In some cases, you may find it useful to seek professional advice from a consultant. This is likely to cost additional fees, but they may be able to give you a better idea with more of a tailored approach.

Considering your Existing Investment Portfolio

Another factor that you might want to consider before buying Microsoft stock is to think about how buying, trading or investing in new stocks could impact your existing investment portfolio. If you already have a portfolio of investments, then it can be good practice to think carefully about how buying new shares could have an effect on those existing investments.

It can be really hard to know how buying a new stock could impact your existing investments and whether it can have positive or negative impacts. So many different things can happen, and no one really knows what the future holds.

This is another instance where it can be worth considering investment advice from a professional consultant. Once again, this can cost extra fees, but it can potentially be useful to get advice tailored to you and your portfolio to gauge the possible outcomes if you decide to buy Microsoft stock.

In addition to this, if you do not have an existing portfolio, then you should think carefully about whether you are ready to take on the responsibility of managing one. Portfolios can take up a lot of time, commitment and dedication to manage correctly. So you should think about whether you are in a good position to make the effort.

Thinking about your Investment Objectives and your Personal Finances

Something else to bear in mind is to think about what your investment objectives are and to properly consider your personal finances. It can be useful to make a note of what you want to get out of buying Microsoft shares, what is your investment and/or trading strategy, and whether you are making a short-term or long-term plan.

Take some time to write down your goals and be diligent with what you really want to achieve. It can also be worthwhile thinking about your personal financial circumstances and then comparing this with your objectives.

In most cases, people are going to be in very different financial positions. It is, therefore, wise to be considerate of your own finances and be realistic with what you can afford to do. You should come to terms with your limits and think about your other, more important financial commitments. Remember that buying, trading and/or investing is inherently risky and will put your capital at risk.

How do I Buy Microsoft Shares?

The overall process of buying Microsoft shares is quite simple and reasonably straightforward. There are, however, a series of different steps and factors that you might want to think about before going in. Here are some things that you might want to think about.

Finding the Best Trading Platform

Finding the right platform or online broker for you can sometimes be a pain and difficult to do. With so many different platforms and brokerages to pick from, it can be hard to know which one will be best for you and your individual needs.

Platforms and brokerages can offer a lot of varied experiences. Some may even specialise in a particular type of share or industry. This can be a good situation to shop around and browse all of the best options.

Consider looking at some of the most recent and up-to-date reviews from other users. This can help you get an overall idea about how others have felt using the service and what you can expect if you decide to use it as well.

A top thing to remember is to not only choose a platform or brokerage that is reputable but is also fully regulated and authorised by an official regulatory body.

You should also be wary that most platforms and brokerages will likely charge fees for using their services. The fees can vary between providers. Some of the most typical fees to feature may include withdrawal fees, deposit fees, inactivity fees for idle accounts, and sometimes a set subscription fee.

A lot of platforms are now offering their users the chance to trade with zero commission, such as eToro.

Opening a New Account

Another part of the process of buying Microsoft shares if you are new to the scene is to open a new account. Just like with platforms and brokerages, there can be a lot of different options in terms of account providers and the types of accounts available.

Having a trading account or investment account can allow users to buy, sell and store their assets. The accounts are pretty standard, and they are simple to set up.

To set up a new account, a provider is usually going to need some basic information to get things started. This can typically include a full name, address, National Insurance Number, and bank details. The account is also likely to need verification before it is activated. This can usually be done by supplying a copy of an official ID such as a passport or driver’s licence.

There can be loads of different accounts to pick from. The accounts available to you can sometimes depend on the account provider of your choice as well as your individual status. Accounts can range from retail investor accounts, share dealing accounts, and ISAs. Each type of account will likely have their own benefits and their own downfalls. Be sure to consider all of the options open to you and browse the terms and conditions before opting in. Remember that there is a high risk when buying, trading and investing, and there is a high chance that retail investor accounts lose money.

One should also be aware of additional fees and taxes when buying shares in an American company when in the UK. In addition to this, you may be subject to pay capital gains tax.

Selling Microsoft Shares

If you have decided to buy Microsoft shares, then at some point, you may start looking to sell those shares. Shareowners might want to sell their shares for a number of reasons. The most common reasons for selling shares usually include making a profit or minimising losses.

Selling shares typically requires just as much preparation as it does to buy shares. It can take a lot of time and experience, and even then, there is no way of telling when the best time to sell could be.

Platforms should make it relatively easy to sell shares via their services. To sell shares, there is usually a ‘sell’ option or tab. Then simply select the number of shares you want to sell in a company. You obviously have to own the shares you want to sell, as well as the total number.

Does Microsoft Pay Dividends to Shareholders?

It has been reported that Microsoft has recently been making dividend payments to their shareholders. Although there is recent activity of Microsoft making dividend payments to shareholders, this is not a guarantee that they will continue to do so in the future.

Dividends are usually paid out on a quarterly basis to shareholders who own dividend-paying shares. Payments can be made in cash, or in some instances, the company may offer an alternative where shareholders can reinvest their dividends back into the company. This is not always an option and can vary between companies and their own policies.

Dividend Yield

The dividend yield is a useful tool to help current shareholders and prospective share buyers to find out how much they could get in dividends if they decide to buy Microsoft shares that pay dividends.

Working out the dividend yield requires a simple calculation. The yield is calculated based on the current share price. To calculate the dividend yield, the annual dividends of each share is divided by the price per share.

FAQs About Buying Microsoft Shares

Please note

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

Useful resources

• NASDAQ
• LSE
• Financial Conduct Authority
• Microsoft on Wikipedia