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Key Points
- Ariel Investments buys 89,244 Microsoft shares worth $46.4 million, strengthening its position in the tech giant.
- Microsoft stock is up 24% this year, trading near $520, after reporting $76.44 billion in quarterly revenue.
- Ariel, founded by John W. Rogers, Jr., manages more than $16 billion in assets across value-focused strategies.
Black multimillionaire investor John W. Rogers, Jr., founder of Ariel Investments, the first Black-owned mutual fund on Wall Street, has guided the firm into a new bet on Microsoft. Ariel recently acquired an additional 89,244 shares in the technology giant, a stake now worth about $46.4 million.
The purchase comes at a strong moment for Microsoft. Its stock has climbed 24 percent this year and is currently trading around $520.17. Ariel’s move strengthens its position in the company, one of the most valuable in the world and co-founded half a century ago by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
Microsoft beats forecasts on cloud strength
Microsoft’s latest earnings report partly explains investor confidence. Just weeks ago, the company posted results that topped Wall Street forecasts. For the fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, earnings came in at $3.65 a share versus the $3.37 expected, while revenue rose to $76.44 billion, ahead of projections.
That revenue marked an 18 percent increase from a year earlier, the fastest growth Microsoft has seen in more than three years. Net income also jumped to $27.23 billion from $22.04 billion. The company’s Intelligent Cloud division, which includes its Azure business, reported $29.88 billion in revenue, up 26 percent and above analyst estimates. For the first time, Microsoft also disclosed the dollar scale of its Azure operations, highlighting its role as a growth driver.
For Rogers, investments like these go beyond numbers. His career has been defined not only by beating the market but also by closing the racial wealth gap in America. From the start, he believed in putting money in companies with strong fundamentals, even when it ran counter to the mood on Wall Street. That patient, research-driven approach has consistently paid off.
Ariel manages $16 billion assets
Under John W. Rogers, Jr., Ariel Investments, now the oldest Black-owned investment firm in the United States, manages more than $16 billion in assets. Rogers’ focus on value strategies, especially in small-cap stocks, has built a strong track record. His support for minority-led businesses reflects a broader commitment to economic empowerment.
Today, Ariel’s global reach and emphasis on diversity keep it firmly at the center of finance. Beyond the numbers, Rogers has built a reputation as an investor, advocate for boardroom diversity, and community leader.
