Out Fox The $treet

Microsoft announced an 11% dividend hike and a $40 billion share buyback. The tech giant failed to impress with its capital return plans. The stock isn't likely to see a net payout yield to top the existing 3% level. Don't own Microsoft for this capital return plan, and actually avoid the stock on the negative ramifications of the weak signal. The announcement of a large share buyback might grab headlines and drive a stock higher in the short term, but investors really need to break down the impact before rushing to buy a related stock. The  big $40 billion share buyback  from  Microsoft  ( MSFT ) is a prime example of form over substance. In fact, investors should really question if the tech giant should repurchase shares at these levels and whether this move signals a top in the stock. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha.  More commentary - WhoTrades Disclosure: Long AAPL. Please review the disclaimer page for more details.  ...

Microsoft announced new capital return plans including an 8% dividend hike. The new stock buyback plan has limited ability to impact the stock considering the surging stock over the last few years. The net payout yield is average for the current market. After the close, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT )  released  that the company will add to the existing capital return program. The total of the share repurchase program is attention grabbing, but investors need to consider whether the amount is actual impactful to the stock. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha.  Disclosure: No position 

The common perception by investors is that Steve Ballmer was a complete failure while CEO of Microsoft ( MSFT ) . Sure he could've done better at developing a mobile software strategy. Sure he could've done better at developing products to compete with Apple's ( AAPL ) slew of consumer gadgets that made billions over the last decade. Investors miss the point, though, that not only did Microsoft perform in line with the other technology powers from the 2000 technology bubble, but it wasn't a product design firm like Apple. Most investors forget that Apple designed the most appealing computer at the time so it was only staying within its core competency by building a iPod, iPhone and iPad. Microsoft though got distracted attempting to make products instead of focusing on developing software to dominate the mobile world. Instead, Google ( GOOG ) now dominates the mobile world with the Android even surpassing iOS from Apple. Read the full article at Seeki...