Acquisition

LinkedIn and Microsoft: the deal on record

Microsoft agreed in June 2016 to acquire the listed professional network LinkedIn for USD 196 per share in an all cash deal valued at USD 26.2 billion. The European Commission approved the deal on condition that Microsoft keep competing professional networks able to work with Office and Windows for five years. Microsoft completed the acquisition on 8 December 2016.^1,2,3

Timeline

1. 13 June 2016Microsoft announces an agreement to acquire LinkedIn for USD 196 per share.¹
2. 6 December 2016The European Commission approves the deal subject to commitments.²
3. 8 December 2016Microsoft completes the acquisition, reporting a preliminary total purchase price of USD 27.0 billion.³

Regulatory review

1. 6 December 2016European Commission. Approved subject to commitments on Windows preinstallation, Office interoperability and Microsoft Graph access, applying in the EEA for five years and monitored by a trustee.²

Status now

Operates as a subsidiary of Microsoft.³

Sources

1. Microsoft News Center, Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn (13 June 2016)
2. European Commission, Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft, subject to conditions (IP/16/4284) (6 December 2016)
3. US Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), Microsoft Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (26 January 2017)