Microsoft buys LinkedIn for $26.2 billion
Microsoft is buying LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, the company announced on Monday.
Microsoft will pay $196 per share for the company.
LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of the professional social network, and will report directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Under the terms of the acquisition, LinkedIn will maintain its "distinct brand, culture, and independence," and Microsoft says LinkedIn cofounder and chairman of the board Reid Hoffman and Weiner "both fully support" the purchase.
The deal is expected to be completed this calendar year.
LinkedIn shares jumped 48% following the news in pre-market trading. Microsoft shares, which were halted in pre-market trading pending the news, have since re-opened and fallen as much as 5.2%.
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Nadella announced the news to Microsoft employees in an email Monday morning, which you can read here. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner also sent an email to staff, which you can read here.
Integrating LinkedIn into existing Microsoft software
"This deal brings together the world's leading professional cloud with the world's leading professional network," Nadella wrote in the email. "I have been learning about LinkedIn for some time while also reflecting on how networks can truly differentiate cloud services. It's clear to me that the LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business and an impressive network of more than 433 million professionals."
Nadella went on to mention how Microsoft's Office software suite could be combined with LinkedIn's network in the future, such as the ability for Microsoft to serve up suggestions for a specialized expert through LinkedIn when its software recognizes you're trying to complete a specific task.
"We are in pursuit of a common mission centered on empowering people and organizations. Along with the new growth in our Office 365 commercial and Dynamics businesses this deal is key to our bold ambition to reinvent productivity and business processes. Think about it: How people find jobs, build skills, sell, market and get work done and ultimately find success requires a connected professional world. It requires a vibrant network that brings together a professional's information in LinkedIn's public network with the information in Office 365 and Dynamics. This combination will make it possible for new experiences such as a LinkedIn newsfeed that serves up articles based on the project you are working on and Office suggesting an expert to connect with via LinkedIn to help with a task you're trying to complete. As these experiences get more intelligent and delightful, the LinkedIn and Office 365 engagement will grow. And in turn, new opportunities will be created for monetization through individual and organization subscriptions and targeted advertising."
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