Microsoft-LinkedIn $26.2 billion deal: 10 things you must know!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In one of the biggest deal in the technology world, Microsoft Corporation on Monday announced that it would acquire professional social networking site LinkedIn at $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion.

Billed as one of the biggest of such acquisitions in the social media space, the deal will, however, make LinkedIn retain its distinct brand, culture and independence while Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella.

Here are 10 interesting things about the Microsoft-LinkedIn deal:

• The deal will be an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion

• LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence while Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella

• This is Microsoft's biggest deal under Satya Nadella as the CEO

• The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both LinkedIn and Microsoft

• The deal is expected to close this calendar year and is subject to approval by LinkedIn’s shareholders, the satisfaction of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions

• LinkedIn had acquired a leading online learning platform called Lynda.com to enter a new market

• Microsoft will finance the transaction primarily through the issuance of new indebtedness

• Upon closing, Microsoft expects LinkedIn’s financials to be reported as part of Microsoft’s Productivity and Business Processes segment

• Morgan Stanley is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Microsoft, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to Microsoft

• Qatalyst Partners and Allen & Company LLC are acting as financial advisors to LinkedIn, while Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, is acting as legal advisor