I wonder what Ballmer does now.
Tweats from his iPhone? http://gizmodo.com/looks-like-steve-ballmers-first-tweets-ar...
Turns out this was a fake account
Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
11–20 of 32 posts
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#12That's because Ballmer couldn't sell much while he was CEO (that would look very bad).
If I recall rightly, I recall Ballmer mentioning he was actively buying shares...But my recollection may be fuzzy (it was a year or two ago when I recall hearing it).
Actually, unless Ballmer has some grand plan that needs a lot of capital, holding MSFT is not a bad idea at all. With more than 300M shares, he gets a yearly dividend of roughly 350M USD which is only taxed at most 20% as qualified dividend.
Well, even if he needs capital, I am sure he can get debt at much more favorable rate than the tax he would have to pay if he sold the shares. The only argument for selling is if he wants to diversify.
Another example is the Walton family: they still keep >50% ownership of Walmart and live off the dividend.
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
If I recall rightly, I recall Ballmer mentioning he was actively buying shares...But my recollection may be fuzzy (it was a year or two ago when I recall hearing it).
Actually, unless Ballmer has some grand plan that needs a lot of capital, holding MSFT is not a bad idea at all. With more than 300M shares, he gets a yearly dividend of roughly 350M USD which is only taxed at most 20% as qualified dividend. Well, even if he needs capital, I am sure he can get debt at much more favorable rate than the tax he would have to pay if he sold the shares. The only argument for selling is if…
> yearly dividend of roughly 350M USD
Wow, didn't think about that!
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#14I wonder what Ballmer does now.
At Oxford, a couple of months ago, he gave his first public talk since retiring as CEO. There he mentioned he's currently not doing much, but he's researching a few problems to do with governance, healthcare and the environment. He said he doesn't want to try to do anything like Microsoft again, because anything like that would inevitably pale in comparison. He seemed more interested in charity/politics/similar.
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#15There is just plain something screwed up with a system that rewards someone like Steve Ballmer with any kind of stocks whatsoever, let alone fire him before he has a chance to ruin all kinds of sure things.
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#16I wonder what Ballmer does now.
Checking out the Warriors as of a few days ago:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmcFXWkCUAACxtJ.jpg:large
Although, he could've been checking out the Clippers now that Sterling is going to be forced to sell...
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#17I wonder what Ballmer does now.
For years he's been trying desperately to buy an NBA team and bring it back to Seattle to revive the stolen Sonics. So far each time he has tried, (the Sacremento Kings, Minnesota T-wolves, among others) a local billionaire or the hometown has stepped in to deflect his offers.
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
If I recall rightly, I recall Ballmer mentioning he was actively buying shares...But my recollection may be fuzzy (it was a year or two ago when I recall hearing it).
Actually, unless Ballmer has some grand plan that needs a lot of capital, holding MSFT is not a bad idea at all. With more than 300M shares, he gets a yearly dividend of roughly 350M USD which is only taxed at most 20% as qualified dividend. Well, even if he needs capital, I am sure he can get debt at much more favorable rate than the tax he would have to pay if he sold the shares. The only argument for selling is if…
Right or wrong decision making, Ballmer was all in with MSFT.
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#19That's because Ballmer couldn't sell much while he was CEO (that would look very bad).
Not really. He's owed stock for what, 30 years? He could've said that starting from January 20xx (2 years after this announcements) I will automatically sell XX Million shares a year for diversification purposes.
But why give the IRS and the state 50% of it via taxes? He gets a nice chunk in dividends at very low taxes. And the mega rich borrow against the stock so when they die that debt is taken out from the estate without paying taxes. (Ellison got an earful from his accountant for doing so, lotsa debt and refusing to sell his shares. If the stock crashes, you're royally f-ed as the bank demands new collateral...death spiral etc etc)
And what is he going to do with all that money?
Re: Steve Ballmer Now Owns More Microsoft Stock Than Bill Gates
#20A better way to phrase it maybe: Gates is deep into the next new thing. It seems weird now, but maybe for future generations Gates will be remembered more for his post MSFT era.