Microsoft Director Buys Shares Amid AI Investment Controversy: 2.7 Billion Won Purchase

According to a February 18 filing, Microsoft Corp independent director John W. Stanton purchased 5,000 shares of the company’s common stock on the open market at $397.35 per share, investing approximately $1.99 million (about KRW 2.7 billion). This transaction increased Stanton’s direct holdings to 83,905 shares, and his indirect holdings through a family trust were also disclosed. In a filing made the same day, the other directors were granted fully vested restricted stock units as part of their board compensation, which is considered a routine stock‐based award not involving any cash transaction.

Meanwhile, Microsoft recently announced in New Delhi that it plans to invest $50 billion (roughly KRW 67 trillion) in AI infrastructure across emerging “Global South” markets by 2030. This aggressive AI investment push has weighed on the stock, which is down about 15–17% year-to-date in 2026.

Microsoft is a U.S. Big Tech company known for Windows, Office, Azure Cloud and Copilot, and it ranks among the world’s leading software and cloud providers by market capitalization. Stanton—widely regarded as a pioneer in the U.S. wireless telecom industry—serves as chairman of Trilogy Equity Partners and has been an independent director on Microsoft’s board since 2014.