Microsoft is the company whose shares trade under the ticker MSFT and helped it become a $3 trillion company in 2024.
Microsoft crossed the $3 trillion market-capitalization level in January 2024 as investors responded to growth in cloud computing and enthusiasm about artificial intelligence. Its valuation reflected the market value of all outstanding Microsoft shares, not the company’s annual sales or cash balance.
Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft first became famous for operating-system software and productivity applications. It later expanded into Azure cloud services, business software, gaming through Xbox, and professional networking through LinkedIn.
Microsoft is sometimes confused with the company that created the Windows logo or with its former product divisions. The corporate entity owns and develops Windows, but Windows itself is a product rather than a separately listed company.