S&P Places LinkedIn (LNKD) on CreditWatch Positive Amid Microsoft (MSFT) Deal

Fitch Places Microsoft (MSFT) Ratings on Review for Downgrade Amid LinkedIn (LNKD) Deal

Fitch Ratings has placed the long-term ratings for Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), including the 'AA+' Issuer Default Rating (IDR), on Rating Watch Negative following the announcement Microsoft will buy LinkedIn Corp. (LinkedIn) for $26.2 billion. Fitch affirms the short-term ratings at 'F1+'. Fitch's actions affect $56.4 billion of total debt, including the indrawn $10 billion revolving credit facility (RCF). A full list of Fitch's rating actions follows at the end of this release.

The Rating Watch Negative reflects Fitch's expectation for structurally higher leverage, given Microsoft's intention to fund the LinkedIn acquisition primarily with new... More

Microsoft (MSFT) Ratings Affirmed by S&P Amid Move to Acquire Linkedin (LNKD)

S&P Global Ratings said it affirmed its 'AAA' long-term corporate credit rating and 'A-1+' short-term corporate credit rating on Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT). The outlook is stable.

At the same time, we affirmed our 'AAA' issue-level ratings on Microsoft's senior unsecured notes and our 'A-1+'... More

UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Said to Gave Advised Another LinkedIn (LNKD) bidder (MSFT)

(Updated - June 13, 2016 4:53 PM EDT)

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) said to have advised another LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) bidder, according to Bloomberg.

UPDATE - Goldman was apparently conflicted on the issue... More

Pacific Crest Downgrades LinkedIn (LNKD) to Sector Weight

Pacific Crest downgraded LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) from Overweight to Sector Weight.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on LinkedIn click here. For more ratings news on LinkedIn click here.

Shares of LinkedIn closed at $131.08 yesterday.

Moody's Places Microsoft (MSFT) Ratings on Review for Downgrade

Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") placed the Aaa senior unsecured rating of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) under review for downgrade following the announcement today that the company has agreed to buy LinkedIn Corporation for $26.2 billion in cash. Both company's boards of directors have approved the transaction, and, pending LinkedIn shareholder and regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close around calendar year-end 2016. LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, a controlling shareholder with 11% of outstanding shares and about 53% of voting power as of the end of 2015, announced he supports the transaction. Microsoft's short term rating is affirmed and... More

Microsoft (MSFT) Debuts New Xbox Lineup, Hardware, Games at E3

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) posted the following to its Xbox Blog on Monday:

Today, at the Xbox E3 2016 Briefing, Team Xbox unveiled a new family of Xbox One devices, a host of new Xbox Live features and the biggest lineup of games in Xbox history. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer underscored the Xbox teams commitment to building a future of gaming beyond console generations and inviting gamers to play without boundaries.

Xbox is working to bring Xbox Live to all devices and networks PC, console, virtual reality and mobile... More

LinkedIn (LNKD) volatility collapses on Microsoft (MSFT) purchasing in a deal valued at $26.2B

LinkedIn (NASDAQ: LNKD) August and November call option implied volatility is at 4; compared to its 52-week range of 22 to 77 on Microsoft (MSFT) purchasing in a deal valued at $26.2B.

Unusual 11 Mid-Day Movers 6/13: (EBIO) (LNKD) (PWE) Higher; (MRNS) (GBR) (ARGS) Lower

Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNS) 69.6% LOWER; announced top-line results from its Phase 3 clinical trial in adults with drug-resistant focal onset seizures. In this trial, ganaxolone did not meet the primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant difference from placebo. Consistent with previously conducted studies, ganaxolone was generally safe and well tolerated. Marinus plans to discontinue its program in adult focal onset seizures and focus its efforts on advancing ganaxolone in status epilepticus and pediatric orphan indications.

Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: EBIO)... More

Canaccord Genuity Downgrades LinkedIn (LNKD) to Hold

Canaccord Genuity downgraded LinkedIn (NYSE: LNKD) from Buy to Hold with a price target of $196.00.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on LinkedIn click here. For more ratings news on LinkedIn click here.

Shares of LinkedIn closed at $131.08 yesterday.