Microsoft (MSFT) stock vs the S&P 500 and tech stocks
As of 2 October 2026, Microsoft (MSFT) is among the strongest stocks we track. It is well ahead of the S&P 500 and ahead of tech stocks as a group (XLK) over the past three months.
Where Microsoft stands now
As of 2 October 2026, Microsoft gives a mixed picture against the S&P 500, ahead on some windows and behind on others.
Inside its group, MSFT is slipping: still ahead of tech stocks (XLK) over three months, but behind over the past month. As a group, tech stocks are gaining ground on the S&P 500 right now. The group is in transition, so the stock's place inside it matters more than usual.
Microsoft is 10.4% of XLK, a weight large enough to drive the fund. It sits in 9 of the sector and theme funds Zensei tracks. The thing to watch is whether the lead holds as the longer windows catch up; leaders that keep their recent edge tend to stay in front.
MSFT vs the S&P 500: returns
Microsoft and the S&P 500 (SPY) side by side, over each window Zensei tracks.
Prices as of · computed from daily adjusted closes · how we measure
MSFT against tech stocks, in depth
See the size of the gap between Microsoft and tech stocks (XLK) over every window, its momentum and its relative strength, and where it sits among tech stocks.
See the full analysisWhich ETFs hold Microsoft?
9 funds that Zensei tracks hold MSFT, by weight. The fund with the largest weight is its sector on this page.
Microsoft competitors
The largest other holdings of Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK), with their return over the past month.
Microsoft stock: common questions
Is Microsoft stock beating the S&P 500?
As of 2 October 2026, Microsoft (MSFT) is up 3.3% over the past month. The S&P 500 is up 1.3% over the same month. Over three months, the stock is up 32.8% and the S&P 500 is up 3.6%.
Which ETFs hold Microsoft?
As of 2 October 2026, 9 funds that Zensei tracks hold MSFT. Its largest weight is in Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK), at 10.4%. It is also in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV, 8.5%), First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Technology ETF (CARZ, 5.8%), Fidelity Metaverse ETF (FMET, 4.4%), First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY, 3.5%), Robo Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ, 2.1%).
Who are Microsoft's competitors?
As of 2 October 2026, the largest other holdings of Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) are NVIDIA (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), AMD (AMD), Broadcom (AVGO), Micron Technology (MU). These are the stocks Microsoft sits next to among tech stocks.
Is Microsoft doing better than other tech stocks?
As of 2 October 2026, Microsoft (MSFT) is ahead of tech stocks as a group (XLK) over the past three months. Zensei Edge shows the size of the gap, its momentum and its relative strength.
Track Microsoft against tech stocks and the market
Zensei Edge maps 100+ sectors and themes against the S&P 500, with each stock inside them measured against its group.