New York, January 16, 2026, 09:37 EST — Regular session
- Microsoft shares slipped roughly 0.6% in early trading, pulling back after a higher open.
- Italy’s antitrust authority has launched probes into claims of “misleading and aggressive” sales tactics in two mobile games by Activision Blizzard.
- Switzerland’s competition commission has opened a preliminary probe into Microsoft’s licensing fees after receiving complaints about price increases.
Microsoft Corp shares slipped Friday after Italy’s competition authority launched probes into sales practices at its Activision Blizzard division, piling on fresh regulatory pressure in Europe. Early trading saw shares dip roughly 0.6% to $456.66.
The timing couldn’t be more awkward. The probes come as Microsoft gears up to report quarterly results later this month, with investors focused on Azure growth, Copilot adoption, and the costs tied to AI data centers.
There’s also a tape issue at play. Investors have been shifting away from last year’s mega-cap tech leaders, making giants like Microsoft more vulnerable to headline shocks. Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda described this as “a healthy broadening out” of market strength. Reuters
Switzerland’s competition commission has opened a preliminary probe into Microsoft’s licensing fees, following complaints about steep price hikes—especially for Microsoft 365 licenses used by businesses and government bodies. This initial review could escalate into a formal case. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the company will cooperate and adhere to Swiss competition laws.
Italy’s watchdog announced it is investigating claims of “misleading and aggressive” sales tactics linked to “Diablo Immortal” and “Call of Duty Mobile.” Both free-to-play titles offer additional content for purchase via in-app prompts and notifications during and between gaming sessions. The regulator highlighted concerns over virtual currencies — digital tokens bought with real money — which may encourage players, including minors, to overspend.
The regulator also took issue with default parental control settings and flagged that certain details about players’ contractual rights seemed designed to push users into giving up protections. Microsoft’s Italian press office has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Off the regulatory radar, Microsoft made waves this week on the commercial front of AI training data. The Wikimedia Foundation revealed deals with major tech players including Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon as it rolls out its enterprise product, which offers companies paid, structured access to Wikipedia content. “Wikipedia is a critical component … that they need to figure out how to support financially,” said Lane Becker, Wikimedia Enterprise’s president, in a Reuters interview. Microsoft’s corporate VP Tim Frank emphasized that access to “high‑quality, trustworthy information” is central to the company’s AI strategy. Reuters
Microsoft has struck a deal with Indigo Carbon to purchase a record 2.85 million soil carbon credits linked to regenerative agriculture in the U.S. over the next 12 years, according to someone familiar with the agreement. The deal is valued between $171 million and $228 million, based on past pricing ranges. “It’s bringing the importance of soil carbon removal into corporate climate action,” Indigo’s Meredith Reisfield told Reuters. Reuters
Broader markets held steady on Friday, with U.S. index futures signaling a higher start, led by chipmakers. Investors kept rotating into smaller and more cyclical stocks despite that. U.S. markets will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Microsoft faces a bigger threat if Europe’s scrutiny broadens. A formal antitrust probe in Switzerland or consumer-protection actions in Italy might compel changes to licensing or in-game monetisation, increasing legal and compliance expenses. This comes as the company is already investing heavily in supporting AI workloads.
Traders are focused on a few key developments: Microsoft’s reaction to the Italian probe, potential moves in the Swiss investigation, and the January 28 earnings report. That update will shed light on Azure usage, Copilot progress, and spending patterns.
