First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. increased its stake in Microsoft Co. by 4.2% during the third quarter, per its latest SEC filing. The firm acquired an additional 8,827 shares, bringing its total holdings to 216,816 shares valued at $93.3 million, making Microsoft its third-largest position at 5% of its portfolio. 

Other institutional investors, including British Columbia Investment Management  Corp and Evernest Financial Advisors LLC, also boosted their stakes, reflecting broad confidence in the software giant. 

Over the past quarter, Microsoft insiders sold 41,200 shares worth $17.38 million, with the largest transaction by EVP Christopher David Young reducing his position by 6.51%. Microsoft's share price recently traded at $424.83, slightly down, with strong metrics like a $3.16 trillion market cap and a 35.05 PE ratio. 

Finsum: Watching the underlying holdings of direct indexing is key to understanding these strategies in the long term.