New York, February 25, 2026, 16:01 EST — After-hours
- Microsoft shares moved higher during the session, then edged down a bit post-close.
- Japan’s antitrust authority raided Microsoft Japan as part of a probe into contract terms for Azure cloud.
- Nvidia’s results land after the bell Wednesday, with traders on edge. They’re also watching a March 4 White House meeting on data-center power costs.
Microsoft (MSFT.O) ended Wednesday’s regular session at $400.63, gaining 2.99%. After the bell, the stock edged down 0.17% to $399.95 as after-hours trading picked up. Session range ran from $390.16 to $400.64.
The rebound followed news that Japan’s Fair Trade Commission raided Microsoft Japan as it digs into possible antitrust violations over restrictions on Azure customers using competing cloud services. Microsoft Japan stated it is “fully cooperating with the JFTC.” According to a source, the regulator plans to request clarification from Microsoft’s U.S. headquarters as well. Reuters
The cloud isn’t some sideshow for Microsoft. Azure anchors its whole pitch to business clients. If the company is pushed to adjust how it bundles or prices contracts, that could quickly spill over into how aggressively it can win share and flex pricing muscle against rival cloud heavyweights.
Timing isn’t helping matters. Microsoft’s stock has stumbled for months — off 28.5% since its record $542.07 close back on Oct. 28 and down almost 20% in 2026 alone — putting shares just above what chart watchers call long-term support.
Wednesday brought a wider boost on Wall Street. The Nasdaq, loaded with tech names, advanced 1.3% as Nvidia shares gained before its earnings release.
Europe got another AI jolt with Microsoft in the mix. Wayve, the British autonomous driving startup, pulled in $1.2 billion from investors including Microsoft and Nvidia, pushing its valuation to $8.6 billion. “We have a war chest,” CEO Alex Kendall said in an interview with Reuters. Reuters
The White House is set to bring in Microsoft, Meta, and Anthropic on March 4 for what it calls a “Rate Payer Protection Pledge,” a move targeting AI data centers’ impact on consumer electricity costs. Microsoft Vice Chair Brad Smith weighed in: “We appreciate the Administration’s work to ensure that data centers don’t contribute to higher electricity prices for consumers.” Reuters
Microsoft ramped up its AI efforts during Mobile World Congress week, rolling out fresh telecom tools and touting a new partnership with Starlink aimed at boosting connectivity for remote regions.
But the risks cut both ways. Should Japan’s investigation expand or lead to corrective measures, investors could start questioning just how aggressively regulators might clamp down on cloud licensing and “lock-in” allegations — a sore spot, given that customers have already begun pushing back against tech spending.
Nvidia’s results land after the bell Wednesday, setting up a key test for the AI trade—one that tends to jolt the big tech cohort, Microsoft included. Traders will be watching closely.
