Microsoft Shares the Wealth

Microsoft is preparing to fork over what may be the largest corporate payout in history. Faced with a continuing trend of slumping sales, investors seeking their share of Microsoft's profits have turned their attention to the balance sheet.

Now that Microsoft has settled the lion's share of its outstanding litigation, the company is bowing to pressure from shareholders and will increase its dividends, buy back shares and offer a one-time payment of three dollars per share.

As Microsoft's board of directors sheds its dividend cover, up to $75 billion USD in immediately available cash reserves will be distributed to shareholders over the coming months.