Microsoft doubles annual dividend

The move comes despite comments from Microsoft executives less than two months ago that they did not plan to release more of the company's cash until its remaining legal challenges had been resolved.

Since then the European Union has taken a tough public stance in its anti-trust proceedings against the software company, suggesting that if anything the legal cloud hanging over Microsoft has darkened.

The decision to double the divided to 16 cents a share will lift the annual pay-ou...