[comlonq]

Your comment is based on absolutely nothing aside from a little Balmer bashing. It's unlikely that he's selling because he thinks MSFT will under-perform, he's selling because he doesn't want the stock anymore therefore Balmer being replaced as CEO is unlikely to be an influencing factor.

[dbg31415]

August 23rd, Microsoft announce Balmer's departure.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2013/aug13/08-23an...

Stock is up over 25% since then.

http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:MSFT

I'd say there are some other people who agree with me that Balmer probably wasn't the right fit, and certainly overstayed his welcome.

[comlonq]

I'm not arguing about Balmer, I'm saying that Bill's decision is probably nothing to do with Balmer or the state of the company. Why don't you re-read my original comment?

Here; I've highlighted the key parts for you:

" he's selling because he doesn't want the stock anymore therefore Balmer being replaced as CEO is unlikely to be an influencing factor."

[amirmc]

Many things have happened since Aug 23rd that could affect the stock price. It's ridiculous to claim that such a change over such a timespan is due to only one event.

[nmrm]

It's more likely this is simply diversification away from huge holdings of a stock that can change (up or down) by 25% in such a short period of time.

All the eggs in one basket and all that.

[dredmorbius]

When Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella was selected, among the specific points he mentioned was an increased role to be played in the company by Bill Gates as "Technology Advisor":

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2014/feb14/02-04ne...

Microsoft also announced that Bill Gates, previously Chairman of the Board of Directors, will assume a new role on the Board as Founder and Technology Advisor, and will devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction. John Thompson, lead independent director for the Board of Directors, will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors and remain an independent director on the Board.

"Bill Gates welcomes Satya Nadella as Microsoft CEO - YouTube" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5BhQVuRcTk

As Alex Schleber (just some guy, but insightful IME) put it on G+:

But MOST WORRISOME of all is what he says next! - "I'm thrilled that Satya has asked me to step up, substantially increasing the time that I spend at the company... I'll have over a third of my time available to meet with product groups... and it will be fun to define this next round of products working together...".

YIKES! Precisely the thing that any outside CEO candidate was dreading, and likely making moving both Ballmer and Gates off the board a precondition for anyone to even consider the challenge (compare here: www.mondaynote.com/2013/12/08/microsoft-ceo-search-stalemate/ ).

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AlexSchleber/posts/PRZMqdmChsK

[comlonq]

I don't see how this is in any way related to my comment?