Microsoft announces $26 billion deal for LinkedIn

SEATTLE – Microsoft said Monday that it was acquiring LinkedIn in a $26.2 billion cash deal, as the company seeks new sources of growth on the internet.

The acquisition, by far the largest in Microsoft’s history, unites two companies in different businesses: one a big maker of software tools, the other the largest business-oriented social networking site with more than 400 million members globally. Both, though, make most of their money by catering to professionals.

Executives involved in the deal said that the common thread prompted the acquisition.

http://www.startribune.com/microsoft-announces-26-billion-deal-for-linkedin/382854931/