NOTE 17 — EMPLOYEE STOCK AND SAVINGS PLANS
We grant stock-based compensation to employees and directors. Awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares generally become available for issuance under the plans. We issue new shares of Microsoft common stock to satisfy vesting of awards granted under our stock plans. We also have an ESPP for all eligible employees.
Stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefits were as follows:
(In millions)
Year Ended June 30, ..................... 2025 / 2025 / 2024 / 2024 / 2023 / 2023
Stock-based compensation expense ........ $ / 11,974 / $ / 10,734 / $ / 9,611
Income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation ... 2,027 / 1,826 / 1,651
Stock Plans
Stock awards entitle the holder to receive shares of Microsoft common stock as the award vests. Stock awards generally vest over a service period of four years or five years .
Executive Incentive Plan
Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee approves stock awards to executive officers and certain senior executives. RSUs generally vest ratably over a service period of four years . PSUs generally vest over a performance period of three years . The number of shares the PSU holder receives is based on the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.
Activity for All Stock Plans
The fair value of stock awards was estimated on the date of grant using the following assumptions:
Year Ended June 30,
Year Ended June 30, / 2025 / 2024 / 2023
Dividends per share (quarterly amounts) ... Dividends per share (quarterly amounts) / $ / 0.75 – 0.83 / 0.75 – 0.83 / 0.75 – 0.83 / $ / 0.68 – 0.75 / 0.68 – 0.75 / 0.68 – 0.75 / $ / 0.62 – 0.68 / 0.62 – 0.68 / 0.62 – 0.68
Interest rates .......................... Interest rates / 3.4 % – 5.5 % / 3.4 % – 5.5 % / 3.4 % – 5.5 % / 3.8 % – 5.6 % / 3.8 % – 5.6 % / 3.8 % – 5.6 % / 2.0 % – 5.4 % / 2.0 % – 5.4 % / 2.0 % – 5.4 %
During fiscal year 2025, the following activity occurred under our stock plans:
Shares
Shares / Shares / Shares / Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value / Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
(In millions) ........................... (In millions) / (In millions) / (In millions)
Stock Awards ............................ Stock Awards / Stock Awards / Stock Awards / Stock Awards / Stock Awards / Stock Awards / Stock Awards
Nonvested balance, beginning of year .... 88 / $ / 292.28
Granted (a) ............................ 39 / 413.90
Vested .................................. ( 38 / ) / 293.25
Forfeited ............................... ( 7 / ) / 317.23
Nonvested balance, end of year .......... 82 / $ / 347.44
(a) Includes 1 million of PSUs granted at target and performance adjustments above target levels for each of the fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023.
As of June 30, 2025, total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock awards were $ 21.6 billion. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of three years . The weighted average grant-date fair value of stock awards granted was $ 413.90 , $ 339.46 , and $ 252.59 for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The fair value of stock awards vested was $ 16.2 billion, $ 16.0 billion, and $ 11.9 billion, for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, an aggregate of 98 million shares were authorized for future grant under our stock plans.
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PART II