How to buy Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares in the UK

While you can't invest directly in Activision Blizzard, you can buy shares in Microsoft, which completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023. Microsoft is listed on the NASDAQ with stock code "MSFT".

It's important to note that Microsoft isn't just the parent company for Activision Blizzard. You're effectively also buying into Windows, Bing, Outlook, LinkedIn, Visual Studio and Xbox, amongst others. That means the movement of Microsoft's share price will be affected by more than just the fortunes of Activision Blizzard.

How to buy shares in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)

Open a brokerage account. Choose from our top broker picks or compare brokers in depth. Then, complete an application.
Fund your account. Add money to your account via bank transfer, debit card or credit card.
Search the platform by ticker symbol. MSFT in this case.
Choose an order type. Place a market order or limit order with your preferred number of shares or dollar amount.
Submit the order. It's that simple.

The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes. You'll need a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, your passport or driving licence and a means of payment.

Our top picks for where to buy Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares

Best for 0% commission stocks

Finder Award

Go to site

Capital at risk. Fees apply.

Copy picks from top traders

4.3 ★★★★★

Commission-free trades
Fractional shares
Get dividend payments

Best for fractional shares

Go to site

Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

Earn 4.75% on uninvested funds

4.4 ★★★★★

Commission-free trades
Fractional shares
5,400+ stocks/ETFs

Best for US shares

Finder Award

Go to site

Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.

Try Plus free for 3 months

4.4 ★★★★★

Commission-free trades
3,000+ stocks
Real-time live pricing

We analysed all popular share dealing platforms in the UK using 35 data points and combined this with our expert insight from using the apps. The platforms we've selected as best for each category offer stand-out features or a unique combination of elements for a specific aspect of investing. If we show a "Promoted for" pick, it's been chosen from among our partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive. Keep in mind that our picks may not always be the best for you – it's important to compare for yourself. More details in our full methodology.

Fees calculator for buying Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares with popular apps

Both exchange rates and share prices fluctuate in real time, so the costs estimated here should be considered as a guide only. They don't factor in spreads, which can be hard to pin down. Always refer to the platform itself for availability and pricing.

Quantity of shares

Finder Score	Account fee	Min. initial deposit	Trade cost	Link
4.3 ★★★★★	£0	$100	£661.90	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.4 ★★★★★	£0	£1	£663.48	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.7 ★★★★★	£0	£1	£657.96	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.4 ★★★★★	£0	£0	£660.26	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.4 ★★★★★	£0	£0	£660.26	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.2 ★★★★★	£0 (0.45% for funds)	£1	£675.49	Go to siteCapital at risk
4.4 ★★★★★	0% - 0.25%	£100	N/A	Go to siteCapital at risk

Full comparison of share dealing platforms

These providers cover a wide range of stocks, but we can't guarantee they'll all offer this stock.

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.

Alternative ways to invest in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)

Via a fund
Via an S&P 500 ETF

Buying shares in just one company is generally considered a riskier bet than investing in a range of investments - AKA a "diversified portfolio". Experts generally recommend holding a mix of investments in specific assets and funds. Funds are ready-made portfolios of multiple companies' shares (potentially including Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)), and the idea is that drops in the value of one constituent company's share price might be offset by rises in others.

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) is a major part of the NASDAQ, so it's included in many global funds and investment trusts, as well as tracker-style exchange traded funds (ETFs).

ETF	5-year performance (to August 2024)	1-year performance (to August 2024)	Link to invest
Invesco S&P 500 (SPXP)	94.07%	22.23%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk
Xtrackers S&P 500 Swap (XSPX)	93.77%	22.24%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk
iShares Core S&P 500 (CSP1)	91.84%	21.98%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk
HSBC S&P 500 (HSPX)	80.38%	20.63%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk
Vanguard S&P 500 (VUSA)	79.29%	20.60%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPX5)	79.17%	20.61%	Invest with XTBCapital at risk

Latest updates for Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)

November 14, 2024: The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft’s cloud computing business, as the US regulator continues to pursue Big Tech in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency, according to Finance Times.

October 31, 2024: Microsoft beat expectations with revenue reaching $65.59 billion and earnings per share (EPS) coming in at $3.30, but the reaction has been slightly negative as guidance for revenue growth was lower than expected.

Is it a good time to buy Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) stock?

Review technicals and fundamentals to help you determine if now's a good time for you to invest.

Technical analysis

View Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s price performance, share price volatility, historical data and technicals.

Use our graph to track the performance of MSFT stock over time.

Historical closes compared with the last close of $415.49

1 week (2024-11-14)	-0.30%
1 month (2024-10-21)	-3.19%
3 months (2024-08-21)	-2.12%
6 months (2024-05-21)	2.63%
1 year (2023-11-21)	22.88%
2 years (2022-11-21)	68.62%
3 years (2021-11-21)	38.32%
5 years (2019-11-21)	209.10%

The gauge below shows real-time ratings that are based on 26 popular indicators such as moving averages, for specific time periods. It's not a recommendation but is simply technical analysis that can form part of your research.

Finder might not agree with the analysis and we take no responsibility. We also give no representations or warranty on the accuracy or completeness of the information provided on this page.

Invest in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares

Finder Award

Over 5,500+ stocks from 20 exchanges
Free to open an account
Commission-free trading

Go to site

Capital at risk

Other fees may apply

Is Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) under- or over-valued?

Valuing a stock is incredibly difficult, and any metric has to be viewed as part of a bigger picture of overall performance. However, analysts commonly use some key metrics to help gauge value. Check out the Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) P/E ratio, PEG ratio and EBITDA.

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s current share price divided by its per-share earnings (EPS) over a 12-month period gives a "trailing price/earnings ratio" of roughly 36x. In other words, Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s shares trade at around 36x recent earnings.

That's relatively high compared to, say, the trailing 12-month P/E ratio for the United States stock markets on average as of November 09, 2023 (20.44). The high P/E ratio could mean that investors are optimistic about the outlook for the shares or simply that they're over-valued.

However, Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s P/E ratio is best considered in relation to those of others within the industry or those of similar companies.

Electronic Arts (EA.US): 41.65
Nintendo Co ADR (NTDOY.US): 28.33
Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO.US): 0.00

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s "price/earnings-to-growth ratio" can be calculated by dividing its P/E ratio by its growth – to give 2.3062. A PEG ratio over 1 can be interpreted as meaning shares are overvalued at the current rate of growth, or may anticipate an acceleration in growth.

The PEG ratio provides a broader view than just the P/E ratio, as it gives more insight into Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s future profitability. By accounting for growth, it could also help you if you're comparing the share prices of multiple high-growth companies.

However, it's sensible to consider Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s PEG ratio in relation to those of similar companies.

Electronic Arts (EA.US): 3.01
Nintendo Co ADR (NTDOY.US): 24.34
Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO.US): 7.93

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) is a whopping $129.4 billion (£102.3 billion).

The EBITDA is a measure of Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s overall financial performance and is widely used to measure a its profitability.

To put that into context you can compare it against similar companies.

Electronic Arts (EA.US): USD$1.9 billion
Nintendo Co ADR (NTDOY.US): USD$386.5 billion
Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO.US): USD$165.6 million

Frequently asked questions

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s shares were split on a 2:1 basis on 17 February 2003. So if you had owned 1 share the day before before the split, the next day you'd have owned 2 shares. This wouldn't directly have changed the overall worth of your Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares – just the quantity. However, indirectly, the new 50% lower share price could have impacted the market appetite for Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares which in turn could have impacted Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)'s share price.
It's as easy to sell Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) as it is to buy! Here's how to sell Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares that you already own.
1. Open your investment app. If you've got one with desktop access, you can log in online
2. Go to your portfolio. This should be in the main menu
3. Find your shares. You may be able to search your portfolio
4. Choose how many you'd like to sell. You'll be able to review the price and see how much you'll receive
5. Sell your Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares. Your investment platform will let you know when your shares are sold
The easiest way to get hold of some Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares is to sign up for a share trading app and place a market order or basic order. This type of order tells the platform that you're interested, so it'll try to execute it as quickly as it can. It could take some time for the order to go through, especially if there's a lot of volatility in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares.

Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) financials

Revenue TTM	$254.2 billion
Operating margin TTM	46.58%
Gross profit TTM	$165.4 billion
Return on assets TTM	14.59%
Return on equity TTM	35.6%
Profit margin	35.61%
Book value	$38.69
Market capitalisation	$3.2 trillion

TTM: trailing 12 months

Thank you for your feedback!

More resources on Finder

How to buy Merlin Entertainments shares How to buy Flutter Entertainment shares

More guides on Finder

How to buy Faze Clan shares
Find out how you can invest in Faze Clan, and get the latest share price updates.
How to buy Reddit shares
Everything we know about the Reddit IPO, plus information on how to buy shares.
How to buy Vue Cinema shares when it goes public
Everything we know about the Vue Cinema IPO, plus information on how to buy shares.
How to buy GameStop shares
You can own GameStop shares in just a few minutes by using an online share dealing platform. Our table lets you compare the UK’s leading share dealing accounts to find the right one for you.
How to buy Flutter Entertainment shares
Thinking about buying shares in Flutter Entertainment? We explain how to do it and compare a range of providers who will give you access to global markets.
How to buy Merlin Entertainments shares
Find out how to buy shares in Merlin Entertainments, see Merlin Entertainments’ share prices over the last three months and check out our must-do checklist if you’re looking to invest.
How to buy Cineworld Group shares
Ever wondered how to buy shares in Cineworld? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Cineworld.
How to buy Take Two shares
Ever wondered how to buy shares in Take-Two Interactive? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Take-Two Interactive.
How to buy Games Workshop Group shares
Ever wondered how to buy shares in Games Workshop? We explain how and compare a range of providers that can give you access to many brands, including Games Workshop.

How to buy Activision Blizzard shares

How to get a slice of the gaming giant that brought us Call of Duty and Guitar Hero by buying Microsoft shares.

How to buy shares in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)

Our top picks for where to buy Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares

Fees calculator for buying Activision Blizzard (Microsoft) shares with popular apps

Alternative ways to invest in Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)

Latest updates for Activision Blizzard (Microsoft)