Microsoft Corporation acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for approximately how much?

Microsoft Corporation acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for approximately $26.2 billion.

Microsoft announced the all-cash acquisition in June 2016, valuing each LinkedIn share at $196. The transaction was completed in December 2016, and LinkedIn continued operating as a distinct professional-networking service under Microsoft’s ownership.

The deal was notable because it joined Microsoft’s enterprise software business with LinkedIn’s professional identity, recruiting, publishing, and advertising networks. The $26.2 billion figure is the announced transaction value, not LinkedIn’s market capitalization or Microsoft’s total spending after the purchase. LinkedIn was founded in 2002 and launched publicly in 2003, while Microsoft was founded in 1975.