Microsoft execs cash in

A number of Microsoft (MSFT) executives, including Chairman and CEO Bill Gates, sold $417 million in company stock in November, according to securities filings.

Gates sold 800,000 shares at prices ranging from $137.50 to $148.44 each during the period of November 1 to November 14. But the sell-off represented a mere 0.06 percent of his holdings in the company.

Other Microsoft executives who sold stock include James Allchin, senior vice president of desktop and business systems, Joachim Kempin, senior vice president of the OEM division, Brad Silverberg, senior vice president of Internet platforms and tools, and Bernard Vergnes, president of Microsoft Europe.

Meanwhile, Paul Allen, Microsoft cofounder and director, sold 1.9 million shares ranging from $142 to $157.50 each November 8 to November 22, a 3.6 percent stake in the company. (Allen is an investor in CNET: The Computer Network.)

A company spokeswoman said the software giant does not comment on Gates or any other executives or directors' personal stock transactions. The shares were sold before the company's stock split on December 9.