Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday said it will conduct an up to $60 billion share buyback programme, raise its quarterly dividend by 11%, and appoint company President Brad Smith as vice chair. Microsoft said the buyback programme has no expiration date and may be terminated at any time, and that it would pay a dividend of $0.62 per share - 6 cents over the previous quarter. The US technology giant also called the vice chair position an updated executive role for Smith, who currently leads a team of over 1,500 staff in 54 countries, according to his biography on Microsoft's website.