REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 3, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Microsoft® Investor, (http://investor.MSN.com/) , a leading online personal investment resource, was chosen as the best all-around fee-based Web site for financial information and investing on the Web by Money magazine editors. This honor complements Investor’s recent recognition by Home PC as “best of the Web” and Business Week as a “must-see” online site, and top honors in October from Barron’s as the No. 1 Web site for investors.
“Its broad package of timely investing information and sophisticated analytic tools make [Microsoft Investor] a compelling site,” Money magazine noted. “The biggest draw is its screening program, which lets you sort through 8,000 stocks and 8,000 funds using 84 criteria. I unearthed 29 top-performing, low-expense, no-load funds that have gained more than 20 percent over the past five years while taking less risk than their peers – all in 10 minutes. Microsoft Investor can give you plenty of firepower to find winning investments that can more than pay for the site’s $9.95 monthly fee.”
“Serious investors recognize the value of Investor, not only as a free site that provides the tools and services users need to follow the market and track investments, but as a rewarding premium service,” said Lewis Levin, vice president of the desktop finance division at Microsoft. “As Money editors point out, dedicated investors understand that the financial information and tools people need to make investment decisions are offered almost exclusively through premium services – and the best ones, like Investor, more than pay for themselves over time.”
In conducting its review, Money magazine researched 100 of the best-known fee-based sites on the Web and found only a handful worth the price they charged. Winning sites included those with analytical tools or advice that could boost users’ investment returns enough to earn back their subscription fees and more. Money magazine found three investing Web sites that were worth their tariffs, and it placed Microsoft Investor on top as the best all-around fee-based financial site on the Web.
To demonstrate the power of Investor, Microsoft continues to offer a 30-day free* trial of its premium service. To sign up for the free trial, visit (http://investor.MSN.com/free.asp) .
About Microsoft Investor
Microsoft Investor is an Internet resource created to help users easily track their investments and make investment decisions. Designed for both the novice and experienced investor, Microsoft Investor is a free, Web-based service that provides personal investors with portfolio tracking, original editorial content, business news, stock quotes, historical data and access to online trading (connect-time charges may apply). In addition to its broad range of free services, Microsoft Investor now offers unlimited access to valuable premium services for a monthly charge of $9.95 (members of MSN
™
, The Microsoft Network pay only $6.95). These services include company and mutual fund research and an Investment Finder to find the mutual funds and stocks that best fit users’ needs.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
* Note: This offer is valid only for new subscribers to Microsoft Investor who are residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia or Canada. You will need to input your credit card, but Microsoft Investor will not charge your card. At the end of 30 days, your account will automatically be canceled. You may choose to resubscribe at that time. Connect-time charges may apply.
Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.
Note to editors : If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.