Microsoft (MSFT) stock vs the S&P 500 and tech stocks
As of 12 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 12 October 2026, Microsoft gives a mixed picture against the S&P 500, ahead on some windows and behind on others.
Inside its group, MSFT leads: it is ahead of tech stocks (XLK) over both the past month and three months. As a group, tech stocks are among the strongest groups in the market right now. A strong stock in a strong group: both the stock and the group have the wind behind them.
Microsoft is 10.7% 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.
Microsoft peers in tech stocks
The largest other holdings of Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK), by weight in the fund, with their plain return over the past month. They share the fund with the stock. They are not always direct business competitors.
Is Microsoft in the S&P 500?
As of 12 October 2026, Microsoft is in the S&P 500. Its sector fund, Technology (XLK), holds it at 10.7% weight.
Every stock in one of the 11 S&P 500 sector funds is in the index. See Tech Stocks (XLK)
Microsoft ETF: the funds that hold MSFT
9 funds that Zensei tracks hold MSFT. The main sector is the fund Zensei groups it with. The other funds follow by weight.
MSFT stock performance: 1-month, 3-month and 1-year vs the S&P 500
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 analysisMicrosoft stock: common questions
Which stocks are Microsoft's peers?
As of 12 October 2026, the largest other holdings of Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) by weight are NVIDIA (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), AMD (AMD), Broadcom (AVGO), Micron Technology (MU). They share the fund with Microsoft. They are fund peers among tech stocks, not always direct business competitors.
Which ETFs hold Microsoft?
As of 12 October 2026, 9 funds that Zensei tracks hold MSFT. Zensei groups it with tech stocks in Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK), where its weight is 10.7%. It is also in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV, 8.4%), First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Technology ETF (CARZ, 5.8%), Fidelity Metaverse ETF (FMET, 4.5%), First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY, 3.5%), First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR, 1.9%).
Is Microsoft in the S&P 500?
As of 12 October 2026, Microsoft is in the S&P 500. Its sector fund, Technology (XLK), holds it at 10.7% weight.
What sector is Microsoft in?
As of 12 October 2026, Zensei groups Microsoft with tech stocks (XLK, its primary fund). This is also its S&P 500 sector fund. It is also in software stocks (IGV), EV stocks (CARZ), metaverse stocks (FMET) and cloud stocks (SKYY).
Is Microsoft stock beating the S&P 500?
As of 12 October 2026, Microsoft (MSFT) is up 9.2% over the past month. The S&P 500 is up 2.1% over the same month. Over three months, the stock is up 38.7% and the S&P 500 is up 4.1%.
Is Microsoft doing better than other tech stocks?
As of 12 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.
Recent changes
- ·First tracked: among the strongest
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.