BY Mayowa Tijani
LinkedIn, a social network for professional activities, saw its shares jump by 47%, following Microsoft’s announcement of a $26.2 billion acquisition deal on Monday.
LinkedIn share price soared to near $193, while Microsoft’s stock was down 3.2 percent. Trading in Microsoft had been halted briefly for news pending before the announcement of the all-cash deal.
According to CNBC, Moody’s Investors Service placed Microsoft’s “AAA” rating under review for downgrade, following announcement of the deal.
Standard & Poor’s, though, reaffirmed its “AAA” rating, and said it maintained all other ratings and a “stable outlook” on the company.
Jeff Weiner will stay on as CEO of LinkedIn but will report to Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO.
The social network was founded in 2002, two years before the world’s most popular social network, Facebook, came online.
The deal was unanimously approved by both companies’ boards, and is expected to close by the end of the year. The acquisition is still subject to approval by LinkedIn shareholders and regulators.
“The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world’s professionals,” Nadella said in a statement.
“Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organization on the planet.”
In a statement to LinkedIn employees, Weiner said “little is expected to change” and employees will have the same titles and managers.
“The one exception: For those members of the team whose jobs are entirely focused on maintaining LinkedIn’s status as a publicly traded company, we’ll be helping you find your next play,” Weiner said.
“In terms of everything else, it should be business as usual. We have the same mission and vision; we have the same culture and values; and I’m still the CEO of LinkedIn.”
Mark Hawtin, investment director at GAM, told CNBC’s “Closing Bell” that he thought both companies benefited in the deal.
“[Microsoft] can now provide this social fabric which I think is going to be so important in this network economy,” said Hawtin, who owns shares in both companies through his firm’s funds.
“For LinkedIn, I think it also gives them a chance to have a jump start to move the business more rapidly.”
Shares of LinkedIn had peaked in the past year at $258.39. The stock is down more than 14 percent year to date, and 10 percent in the past year.
LinkedIn, which has more than 400 million members, acquired online education company Lynda.com last April. It rolled out a new version of its Recruiter product this year, which the company said increased membership, engagement and financial results.
Shares of Microsoft traded near $50 on Monday, down from their 52-week high of $56.85. The company’s stock has gained more than 8 percent year over year.
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