Insights: What lead to the Definitive Agreement between $MSFT and $LNKD?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest and most valuable professional network and continues to build a strong and growing business. Over the past year, the company has launched a new version of its mobile app that has led to increased member engagement; enhanced the LinkedIn Newsfeed to deliver better business insights; acquired a leading online learning platform called Lynda.com to enter a new market; and rolled out a new version of its Recruiter product to its enterprise customers. These innovations have resulted in increased membership, engagement and financial results, specifically:

• 19% growth year over year to more than 433 million members worldwide
• 9% growth year-on-year to more than 105 million unique visiting members per month
• 49% growth year-on-year to 60 percent mobile usage
• 34% growth year-on-year to more than 45 billion quarterly member page views
• 101% growth year-on-year to more than 7 million active job listings

“The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world’s professionals,” Satya Nadella said. “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.”

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and LinkedIn Corporation (LNKD) on Monday announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash.

LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence. Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. Reid Hoffman, chairman of the board, co-founder and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn, and Weiner both fully support this transaction. The transaction is expected to close this calendar year.

Microsoft aims at reaching 1 billion Windows 10 active devices by fiscal year 2018

Microsoft’s bold ambition is to create more personal computing experiences with Windows and their devices. It's the first step towards their goal of 1 billion Windows 10 active devices in the fiscal year 2018.

The company’s aspiration with Windows 10 is to move people from meeting to choosing to loving Windows. Based on feedback from more than 5 million people who have been using Windows 10, Microsoft believes people will love the familiarity of Windows 10 and the innovation. It's safe, secure, and always up to date.

Windows 10 is more personal and more productive with Cortana, Office, and Continuum. And Windows 10 will deliver innovative new experiences like Inking on Microsoft Edge and gaming across Xbox and PCs, and also opens up entirely new device categories such as HoloLens.

Windows 10 will deliver significant value to enterprise customers as well. Windows 10 provides advanced security capabilities with additional features for hardware-based security, mobile work and data protection. It also provides a single device management platform across all devices, from phones to laptops to Internet of Things devices. And Windows 10 helps enterprises stay up to date with Windows Update for Business and Windows Store for Business.