NEW YORK, Jan 15, 2026, 16:09 EST — After-hours
- Microsoft slipped 0.6% during regular trading, standing out against a wider tech rally.
- Switzerland’s competition watchdog has launched an initial investigation into Microsoft’s licensing fees.
- Investors are weighing a new Wikipedia AI-training deal alongside Microsoft’s recent shifts in data-center strategy and carbon initiatives.
Shares of Microsoft Corp dipped 0.6% on Thursday, ending the day at $456.45. The drop came after Switzerland’s competition authority launched a preliminary investigation into the company’s licensing fees.
The probe comes as investors watch closely how Microsoft bankrolls its AI expansion—and how much pricing leverage it can maintain in software and cloud deals without triggering regulatory scrutiny.
Earnings season is picking up pace. Microsoft will release its fiscal second-quarter results after the market closes on Jan. 28, followed by a webcast at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time.
The broader market showed strength, buoyed by a semiconductor rally sparked by strong earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, which helped calm worries over AI demand.
Switzerland’s competition watchdog, COMCO, revealed it has been contacted by private firms, government bodies, and public companies over “significant price hikes” in Microsoft product licenses. The agency noted potential illegal competition restrictions that might trigger a formal probe. Microsoft confirmed it will cooperate. Reuters
Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, revealed new partnerships with Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon.com, and others to offer paid access to its content for AI training. Lane Becker, president of Wikimedia Enterprise, described Wikipedia as “a critical component” for tech companies and noted that partners “see the need” to financially support the project. Reuters
Microsoft Corporate Vice President Tim Frank said the company is “helping create a sustainable content ecosystem for the AI internet, where contributors are valued,” according to comments tied to the Wikimedia announcement. Reuters
Microsoft has struck a deal with Indigo Carbon to purchase 2.85 million soil carbon credits spanning 12 years—a record in that market—as part of its plan to go carbon negative by 2030. A source familiar with the agreement put its value between $171 million and $228 million.
Indigo’s Meredith Reisfield described the deal as one that “solidif[ies] our reputation and leadership on high-integrity carbon credits,” highlighting growing corporate interest in soil-based carbon removals linked to regenerative farming. Reuters
Microsoft shares were already facing pressure the previous day, dragged down by a broader pullback in big tech stocks.
The downside is clear: COMCO’s initial review might escalate into a full-blown antitrust investigation. Any mandated adjustments to licensing terms would come at a tricky time, with investors already zeroing in on AI spending and the speed of returns in cloud and software.
Traders are bracing for potential moves in the Swiss review and keeping an eye on developments around paid AI-training data agreements. The Federal Reserve’s January 27-28 meeting is also in focus, just ahead of Microsoft’s earnings report due after the close on January 28.
