Is Microsoft about to spend $19 billion to buy Nokia's phone division?

A tweet sent out from Eldar Murtazin hints that the suits at Microsoft have come to the conclusion that they could spend $19 billion to buy Nokia's phone division. Of course, that is a far cry from saying that Microsoft would make the purchase. Talk of a buyout of the Finnish firm's phone subsidiary by the guys at Redmond has been circulating ever since Nokia decided to use Windows Phone 7 in its handsets. And don't forget that Nokia executive Stephen Elop came from Microsoft.

While Microsoft might be able to finance a $19 billion deal, no matter how you look at it, the company will be spending a lot of money for a business that has been losing market share. For this deal to make sense, Microsoft must feel confident that they can add something to the hardware that will be able to reverse Nokia's recent performance.

If the deal is structured using equity, current stockholders are not going to take too kindly to the dilution of their holdings. As of the latest quarterly report, Microsoft had $48 billion in cash, so they might be able to use cash on hand to make a purchase. Although there is nothing in Murtazin's tweet that says that a deal is going to happen, with Nokia's stock at a 13 year low as we reported earlier today, the gang at Redmond might be getting a great bargain if they decide to make the purchase now.

source: IntoMobile