Finnish telecom giant Nokia, considered among the most trusted brands in India, is going through a bad patch with its shares at an all-time low, triggering speculation that
it may be acquired by Microsoft.
Once among the most valuable companies in Europe, the
mobile telecom equipment firm has seen its share prices fall to 2.20 euros in recent days - the lowest since the mid-1990s.
The weekly
Helsinki Times in its latest edition said the Nokia stocks were now below book value - a situation described as "worth more dead than alive" rhetorically.
"The investment community is fertile ground for rumours, and there are plenty about what could happen to Noika. One of the most persistent rumours is that
Microsoft may buy the company," the weekly said.
"The alliance with Mircosoft is a powerful one. Maybe Apple and Google have already won the mobile-phone business, and everyone else is doomed," it said in a report, quoting
The Wall street Journal.
"But that's what they once said about Noika. Things change in this industry. Microsoft, which is
desperate to play catch-up in smart-phones , could buy Nokia today out of petty cash."
The Bill Gates-led US software and tech giant has about 46 billion euros in cash equivalent, while Nokia's market value is 8.4 billion euros, the weekly said, adding there was no speculation on any other buyer for Nokia, ruling out Apple, Samsung or RIM.
It also suggested that Nokia could try to reverse its fortunes with bold steps.
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