14 DAY TRIAL // Despite the fact that, just recently, Research In Motion has released on the market several really cool smartphones, it seems that its shares keep going down, which makes the company more or less vulnerable. If the current situation continues, then it's possible that it may find itself in a position to accept a takeover.
While earlier this year the company's stock was priced at about $150 per share, now, after the financial crisis that shook the US to the core, its stocks have dropped considerably, meaning to approximately $60 per share, give or take. Clearly, this is anything but a good sign and, if RIM does not manage to get back on its feet soon enough, then the possibility of a takeover could be imminent.
The company that might have the financial power to attempt said takeover of RIM is none other than Microsoft (and this, without even taking into consideration that Bill Gates has an estimated fortune of over $60 billion). As financial analysts claim, Microsoft is set to dispense with $28 billion dollars in order to take over Research In Motion, the maker of the popular BlackBerry mobile smartphones.
Apparently, this would not be the first time that Microsoft attempted such a move on RIM, the only difference being that, the first time around, the price of the company was too high even for the Redmond giant. This, of course, would only make the current context all the more a good opportunity for Microsoft. If RIM's shares drop even further, to about $50, analysts say, then Bill Gates' company might try to buy it.
Come to think of it, this would be a great opportunity, since Microsoft is now experiencing a decline in the smartphone segment of the market, which is set to be ravaged by both Apple's iPhone and the Google Android. The move might also alienate manufacturers like HTC and Samsung, along with other phone makers that are currently using Windows Mobile OS on their mobile devices.
At this point, nothing is confirmed, being only speculation based on the stock market. Nevertheless, considering that almost all great transactions were made this way, it's definitely a possibility.