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Microsoft logs $3.2B from Anthropic investment, but OpenAI was a mixed bag
In its fiscal Q4 2026 results, Microsoft announced a significant $3.2 billion gain from its investment in Anthropic, which has been lucrative due to a partnership involving Azure services. Conversely, its stake in OpenAI experienced a reduction of $600 million, showcasing varying performance between these leading AI labs. Though OpenAI appears stronger in a yearly context with a total of $5 billion gain, the performance contrast raises questions about the sustainability of returns from these investments.
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Published 30 Jul 2026, 00:40 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Microsoft reports $3.2 billion gain from Anthropic investment.
- OpenAI investment recorded a $600 million write-down.
- Microsoft owns approximately 27% of OpenAI.
- Overall revenue for Microsoft hit $90 billion for the quarter.
- The fiscal year yielded a total net income of $133.7 billion.
Interesting facts
- Microsoft's gain from Anthropic in one quarter nearly matches its annual return from OpenAI.
- Microsoft's circular agreement with Anthropic includes a hefty purchase of Azure services.
Coverage gaps