Microsoft Awards Executives Millions In Stock Grants

August 31, 2006

By Associated Press

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. said Thursday that several high-ranking executives had received millions of dollars in stock awards as part of a compensation program that the company rejiggered several years ago.

Three years ago, Microsoft switched from offering stock options to offering stock grants, amid a stagnant share price that was making the stock option plan seem less alluring. Under the new plan, these executives had not received any stock grants for the past three years, spokesman Lou Gellos said.

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The stock grants the executives received Thursday were worth millions. Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft division that includes Microsoft's Office business software, received a grant worth $7.5 million at current share prices.

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Shares in Microsoft have remained relatively stagnant for years, as the company has grappled with such varied issues as a major U.S. antitrust case and, more recently, its much-delayed effort to get a new version of Windows out the door. But through that time, the company has continued to make billions in profits, primarily from its Windows and Office franchises.

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