Stock Ticker Profile

Microsoft Stock Symbol and Ticker Profile

Microsoft trades under the ticker symbol MSFT on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The symbol is used for all primary share classes, including the common shares most investors ho...

Mara Ellison
Microsoft Stock Symbol and Ticker Profile

What is the Microsoft stock symbol

Microsoft trades under the ticker symbol MSFT on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The symbol is used for all primary share classes, including the common shares most investors hold. This evergreen profile explains the symbol, share classes, and exchange details that matter for trading, corporate actions, and reliable research.

Microsoft primary listed symbol and exchange

The primary Microsoft symbol is MSFT, listed on NASDAQ. It represents the Class A common stock and is the ticker used for routine trading, quotes, and most corporate references. Microsoft previously traded under a different symbol before the NASDAQ listing in 2003, and since then MSFT has become the standard reference across platforms and data providers.

Exchange and symbol history

Microsoft moved to NASDAQ in 2003, with MSFT as its continuing ticker. The transition aligned the stock with major U.S. equities and consolidated reference data under one primary symbol. Understanding this history helps avoid confusion when reviewing historical charts or legacy documents.

Microsoft stock classes and tickers

While MSFT is the common reference, distinct share classes exist with different rights. The main publicly traded classes in the U.S. include Class A and Class B shares, each tied to specific voting and dividend characteristics. If your platform or broker shows slightly different formatting, verify the underlying equity and rights before acting.

Share class overview

  • Class A (MSFT): Publicly traded common shares with standard voting and dividend rights.
  • Class B: Shares with different governance attributes, typically held by founders and long-term holders.
  • Direct Plans and wrappers: May list brokerage-specific identifiers, but the economic interest remains the same underlying security.

Microsoft symbol lookup and verification

To confirm you are referencing the correct Microsoft symbol, use these reliable sources:

  • NASDAQ official listing: Look for MSFT on the NASDAQ website.
  • >Microsoft Investor Relations: Check the stocks section for authoritative updates.

Third-party sites and your broker platform will also display MSFT, but cross-check against at least one primary source for critical actions.

Practical guidance for checking the Microsoft stock symbol

For quick verification, Microsoft trades as MSFT on NASDAQ. Below are key attributes to reduce lookup errors when confirming the symbol in different tools:

Attribute Verified Detail Source Type
Ticker symbol MSFT NASDAQ listing
Exchange NASDAQ Global Select Market NASDAQ
Primary share class Class A common Microsoft investor materials
SEDOL 5949181 ISIN/SEDOL reference services
CUSIP 59491810 CUSIP Services
ISIN US5949181045 ISIN directory

Common confusion and how to avoid it

Occasionally, users see alternate tickers or suffixes on third-party platforms. These typically reflect share class differences or brokerage identifiers rather than a different security. Stick with MSFT and confirm the exchange and share class when in doubt, especially around corporate actions like dividends, splits, or margin eligibility.

Summary and best practices

Microsoft’s primary stock symbol is MSFT on NASDAQ. The main publicly traded class is Class A common, and most investors reference MSFT for quotes, research, and holdings. Use primary sources like NASDAQ and Microsoft Investor Relations to verify details, and confirm ISIN, CUSIP, or SEDOL when required for settlement or institutional processes.