Shares of Microsoft Corp. advanced 1.83% to $438.69 Thursday, on what proved to be an all-around great trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index rising 1.70% to 5,713.64 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 1.

Microsoft's share repurchase program, which has no expiration date, replaces its previous $60 billion authorization announced four years ago. Meanwhile, investors also cheered the news that shareholders of record as of Nov. 21 will receive a quarterly dividend of 83 cents per share, up from the current 75 cents a share.

Shares of Microsoft Corp. slumped 1.00% to $430.81 Wednesday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index falling 0.29% to 5,618.26 and Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.