Will Microsoft's Dividend See Another Big Boost in 2013?

In the video below, the Motley Fool's senior technology analyst, Eric Bleeker, looks at the prospects for Microsoft's dividend in 2013.

Microsoft is no rookie when it comes to paying back shareholders, but the company has been bad about going about it, Eric says.

In the past, Microsoft has bought back a lot of its own stock. In 2010, it repurchased $11.3 billion in its own shares. But it has bought back stock aggressively when it was selling at higher prices, leaving investors with little to show for the buybacks.

But more recently, Microsoft has instead shifted to paying bigger dividends. Microsoft pays out only 24% of the cash it brings in, so the dividend -- now at about 3.5% -- has room to grow. Eric sees another 25% increase in the dividend, with increases continuing in years to come.

Is there more allure to Microsoft than its solid dividend? With the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He's also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.

The article Will Microsoft's Dividend See Another Big Boost in 2013? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Eric Bleeker has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Intel, and Microsoft. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Apple, Intel, and Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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