Banco Santander Boosts Stake in Microsoft

Spanish banking giant increases ownership in tech giant by nearly 5% in Q3

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Banco Santander S.A., a major Spanish banking group, grew its position in shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) by 4.8% during the third quarter, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Banco Santander now owns 831,873 shares of the software giant's stock, valued at $430,869,000 at the end of the quarter.

Why it matters

This move by Banco Santander, one of the largest banks in Europe, signals continued confidence in Microsoft's long-term growth prospects among major institutional investors. As a top 3 holding in Banco Santander's portfolio, Microsoft's performance is an important factor in the bank's overall investment strategy.

The details

Banco Santander added 37,947 shares of Microsoft to its portfolio during the third quarter, increasing its total stake by 4.8%. The bank now holds over 830,000 shares of the software company, making it Microsoft's 3rd largest institutional investor. Banco Santander's Microsoft holdings account for 3.8% of its total portfolio value.

  • Banco Santander disclosed the increased Microsoft stake in a 13F filing for the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Banco Santander S.A.

A major Spanish banking group and one of the largest financial institutions in Europe.

Microsoft Corporation

An American multinational technology company that develops, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and devices.

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The takeaway

Banco Santander's increased investment in Microsoft underscores the tech company's continued appeal among major institutional investors, even as it faces a more challenging macroeconomic environment. This move highlights Microsoft's status as a core holding for many global financial firms.