News Microsoft to buy LinkedIn for $26 billion

In one of the biggest tech mergers of all time, Microsoft said Monday that it's buying LinkedIn in a deal valued at $26.2 billion.

It's Microsoft's largest acquisition ever and is not coming cheap.

Microsoft is paying $196 per share in an all-cash deal. That's 50% more than LinkedIn stock's closing price at the end of the day on Friday.

The deal combines Microsoft, which dominates the global market for computer systems, with LinkedIn, known as the main social network for professionals.

Microsoft wants to use LinkedIn as a database of professional information and distribution channel for its software systems. LinkedIn gains additional financing and access to millions of people who could potentially join its network.

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