Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn

by Volker Weber

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) on Monday announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash.

Free Windows 10 upgrades for everyone.

More >

Comments

I am really surprised at the value of LinkedIn.

26 Billion - sorry, I think someone made a mistake there.

Ian Bradbury, 2016-06-13

Correct me if I'm wrong: approx. $6 / LinkedIn user

Valentin Woelm, 2016-06-13

Zero missing, $60 / user.

Valentin Woelm, 2016-06-13

I also seem to be unable to get it - even when taking into account that in the US LinkedIn seems to be a lot more popular.

Hubert Stettner, 2016-06-13

Microsoft often pays a lot of money. Like they did with Skype and with Nokia.

Volker Weber, 2016-06-13

LinkedIN has been big for my personal book of business. It's about data gathering, research, and quick connections. Combined with a tool such as RainKing, it's what makes interacting with prospects managable as a sales person. So I am a big fan. And yes, the endorsements part sucks. But most people I know ignore that keyword endorsement section.

I think this buy is more about the integration possibilities with Office365, and specifically, Dynamics CRM. As a user and a person who sells Dynamics CRM projects, that opportunity is huge!

Just as the weather company (not weather.com) aquistion by IBM caused some puzzlement, this is about access to data.

John Head, 2016-06-13

John, I agree.

Volker Weber, 2016-06-13

Thanks, John. Volker, exactly. And we see how that went :-(

Hubert Stettner, 2016-06-13

I am convinced it's all about the data (no internal insight, just my thoughts - and some others as well). Here are some interesting articles by folks who agree with me: https://trackchanges.postlight.com/9-things-microsoft-could-do-with-linkedin-2aec55c2bc72#.r9ocdrjqw and http://www.zdnet.com/article/why-microsoft-just-bought-linkedin-its-all-about-the-data/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Amy Blumenfield, 2016-06-13

Congratulations to Jeff on a nice exit. I hope Microsoft do not make a mess of this like they did with Skype.

Andy Mell, 2016-06-13

facebook for business (f4b) ...

Ingo Seifert, 2016-06-13

Great Post, Amy. I also think about it as a pre-emptive strike. If Salesforce.com, or Google, or IBM bought it ...

Volker Weber, 2016-06-13

Old vowe.net archive pages

I explain difficult concepts in simple ways. For free, and for money. Clue procurement and bullshit detection.

vowe

Paypal vowe