I wonder what this means in terms of Microsoft's overall corporate direction... however, the scale isn't large enough to indicate that they intend to stop deploying cash to expand into new markets. (e.g., instead of throwing billions to promote bing, they just return the money to shareholders).
Still, it's a noteworthy change that might mark the beginning of a change towards the post-Ballmer era.
Microsoft has been buying back shares and increasing its dividend since 2004. This is just a continuation of the existing program.
It would have been more noteworthy if Microsoft had stopped buying back shares, or stopped paying the dividend, or even just allowed the dividend to remain unchanged.
Comments
I wonder what this means in terms of Microsoft's overall corporate direction... however, the scale isn't large enough to indicate that they intend to stop deploying cash to expand into new markets. (e.g., instead of throwing billions to promote bing, they just return the money to shareholders).
Still, it's a noteworthy change that might mark the beginning of a change towards the post-Ballmer era.
Microsoft has been buying back shares and increasing its dividend since 2004. This is just a continuation of the existing program.
It would have been more noteworthy if Microsoft had stopped buying back shares, or stopped paying the dividend, or even just allowed the dividend to remain unchanged.