Microsoft to buy LinkedIn for US$26 bil

(June 13): Microsoft Corp. is acquiring the professional social network LinkedIn Corp. for US$26.2 billion ($35.5 billion, one of the largest technology-industry deals on record, as the maker of Windows software attempts to put itself at the center of people’s business lives.

The deal is a way for Microsoft, which largely missed out on the consumer Web boom dominated by the likes of Google and Facebook Inc., to sprint ahead in social tools -– in this case, for professionals. While Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella has drawn kudos for efforts to reshape the company and reignite sales growth, the board is urging an even faster shift toward software and services delivered over the Internet.

Microsoft will pay US$196 per share in an all-cash transaction, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash, a 49.5% premium to LinkedIn’s closing price Friday. LinkedIn will retain its brand, culture and independence and Jeff Weiner will remain chief executive officer of the company, Microsoft said in a statement Monday. The offer values LinkedIn about 91 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s the highest multiple of any takeover valued at more than $5 billion this year, the data show.

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