Microsoft-LinkedIn Deal Cleared in South Africa

Microsoft Corp.'s $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn Corp. was cleared without conditions by South Africa’s antitrust authority, bringing the deal nearer to its expected year-end close.

The merger “is unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in any of the affected markets” and doesn’t otherwise raise employment or public interest concerns, the country’s Competition Commission said Nov. 10.

The proposed deal is one of the largest technology industry mergers on record. Microsoft will pay $196 per share in an all-cash transaction, which values LinkedIn at about 91 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, Bloomberg reported in June.

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