Topic: Value Stocks

Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, June 17, 2016

Article Excerpt

MICROSOFT CORP., $50.13, Nasdaq symbol MSFT, is the world’s largest software provider. Its Windows operating system powers about 90% of the world’s personal computers. This week, the company agreed to acquire LinkedIn Corp. (New York symbol LNKD) for $26.2 billion in cash. It expects to complete the purchase by the end of 2016. LinkedIn is the world’s largest online professional network, with over 433 million members in more than 200 countries. Members can create, manage and share their career details and connect with other members through the company’s website and mobile apps. Microsoft plans to merge LinkedIn’s databases with its Office suite of business software, including its popular Outlook email/calendar program. That would give Office’s 1.2 billion users access to unique data such as professional biographies. The purchase will also enhance the company’s customer relationship management software, which helps businesses identify and track sales leads. As well, eliminating overlapping operations will save Microsoft $150 million annually by 2018. To put that figure in…