Quick Read
- Perkins Coie Trust Co increased its Microsoft holdings by 7.5% in Q3 2025, now worth $35.4 million.
- Microsoft posted strong quarterly earnings, with revenue up 18.4% year-over-year and a net margin of 35.71%.
- Senior product manager Rishab Jolly credits networking, referrals, and authenticity for his career success at Microsoft.
Microsoft’s story in 2025 is one of sustained momentum and personal transformation, woven from the numbers on Wall Street and the journeys of those who power its innovations. The company’s stock, listed as NASDAQ:MSFT, opened at $487.61 on a recent Thursday, maintaining a market capitalization of $3.62 trillion—a figure that cements Microsoft as a core pillar of the global technology sector. According to MarketBeat, institutional investors collectively own more than 71% of the company, and recent filings show Perkins Coie Trust Co boosting its holdings by 7.5%, making Microsoft its third-largest asset.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every quarterly report and analyst rating is the human effort that drives Microsoft forward. Take Rishab Jolly, a senior product manager whose path from India to Redmond, Washington, reveals what it really takes to break into Big Tech—and thrive. In a candid account shared with Business Insider, Jolly details his move from an engineering career in India to an MBA program in Arizona, where his curiosity about the business side of technology led him to a pivotal project with Microsoft. That hands-on experience, combined with strategic networking, was the launching pad for his career at the company.
Jolly’s story isn’t a smooth ascent. After graduation, he faced a gauntlet of over 200 job applications, visa challenges, and financial stress, nearly forcing him to return home. What changed his trajectory wasn’t just technical skill, but a referral from a Microsoft contact and a tailored résumé—evidence that in a world of tens of thousands of applicants, relationships and authenticity matter as much as credentials. This lesson echoes throughout the tech industry, where the ability to adapt, self-learn, and present genuine stories during interviews can be the deciding factor.
On the financial front, Microsoft’s quarterly performance is impressive. The company posted earnings per share of $4.13, beating consensus estimates and showing a net margin of 35.71%. Revenue for the quarter reached $77.67 billion, an 18.4% increase year-over-year. Microsoft’s balance sheet remains robust, with a low debt-to-equity ratio and strong liquidity. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, reflecting confidence in its long-term prospects.
Analysts continue to view Microsoft favorably, though with nuanced perspectives. Wall Street Zen recently shifted its rating from “buy” to “hold,” while KeyCorp and Morgan Stanley maintain “overweight” stances and have raised target prices—Morgan Stanley now projects $650 per share. In total, data from MarketBeat shows two analysts rating the stock as “Strong Buy,” thirty-seven as “Buy,” and four as “Hold,” producing an average rating of “Moderate Buy.” Such ratings reflect both Microsoft’s consistent earnings and the healthy skepticism that comes with its scale.
Insider activity, often a bellwether for investor sentiment, has seen notable movement. CEO Judson Althoff sold nearly $6.3 million in shares, and EVP Takeshi Numoto sold $1.36 million, each reducing their holdings by around 9% and 5%, respectively. While these sales represent routine portfolio adjustments, they also suggest a cautious optimism about Microsoft’s future direction.
Yet, perhaps the most instructive insights come from those like Jolly, whose advice for aspiring tech professionals goes beyond the technical. He emphasizes the importance of networking, preparation, and authenticity. “Landing a job in Big Tech isn’t one step; it’s two,” he says. First, secure the interview—often via referral. Second, prove your fit with authentic stories and a demonstrated capacity to learn. Jolly’s experience is a reminder that, even in companies renowned for engineering prowess, success depends on the human element: adaptability, resilience, and the willingness to build community.
He dispels the myth that an MBA is mandatory for breaking into product management at Microsoft, noting that the company values diverse backgrounds, from accounting to literature. Innovation, after all, thrives on fresh perspectives. The MBA was valuable for Jolly’s transition, but he acknowledges that career pivots can come from many directions, and that perseverance is essential, especially for immigrants navigating complex visa and cultural landscapes.
As Microsoft continues to expand its portfolio—from Windows and Microsoft 365 to cloud infrastructure and developer tools—the company’s fortunes mirror those of its people: shaped by ambition, challenged by uncertainty, and ultimately defined by adaptability. The stock may fluctuate, and the headlines will change, but the drive to innovate and the pathways to success remain constant for those willing to invest in themselves and their networks.
In 2025, Microsoft’s robust financials and positive analyst sentiment underscore its resilience, but the real story lies in how individuals like Rishab Jolly navigate the complexities of global tech careers. Their experiences highlight that, beyond market metrics, authentic relationships and adaptability are the true engines of opportunity in Big Tech.