This 08 November, 2004 handout photo courtesy of Microsoft shows a building at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft announce on May 11, 2009 it has launched its first bond issue in hopes of raising 3.75 billion dollars, sparking rumors the US software giant was contemplating a takeover bid. Microsoft, in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said that it would use the money from the bond issue launched Monday for "general corporate purposes" and planned to offer five-year, 10-year and 30-year notes. The Redmond, Washington-based company announced its offering, which is set to close on May 18, would reach 3.75 billion dollars of senior unsecured notes. Getty Images logo Getty Images 7 months ago

This 08 November, 2004 handout photo courtesy of Microsoft shows a building at Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft announce on May 11, 2009 it has launched its first bond issue in hopes of raising 3.75 billion dollars, sparking rumors the US software giant was contemplating a takeover bid. Microsoft, in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said that it would use the money from the bond issue launched Monday for "general corporate purposes" and planned to offer five-year, 10-year and 30-year notes. The Redmond, Washington-based company announced its offering, which is set to close on May 18, would reach 3.75 billion dollars of senior unsecured notes.

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  1. MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer addresses the media during a news conference on October 7, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Ballmer talked about the upcoming launch of the new Windows 7 computer operating system.
  2. MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer looks on during a news conference on October 7, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Ballmer talked about the upcoming launch of the new Windows 7 computer operating system.
  3. MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer looks on during a news conference on October 7, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Ballmer talked about the upcoming launch of the new Windows 7 computer operating system.
  4. MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer addresses the media during a news conference on October 7, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Ballmer talked about the upcoming launch of the new Windows 7 computer operating system.
  5. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer gestures during a news conference to present the new Windows 7 operating system in Munich October 7, 2009. Microsoft's release of its new. Windows 7 operating system is expected to increase demand for personal computers only slightly, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told journalists in Munich on Wednesday. Major new software updates from Microsoft, whose Windows operating system runs about 90 percent of the world's PCs, are in general eagerly awaited by computer makers who hope for a sales boost.
  6. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer holds a news conference to present the new Windows 7 operating system in Munich October 7, 2009. Microsoft's release of its new Windows 7 operating system is expected to increase demand for personal computers only slightly, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told journalists in Munich on Wednesday. Major new software updates from Microsoft, whose Windows operating system runs about 90 percent of the world's PCs, are in general eagerly awaited by computer makers who hope for a sales boost.
  7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer gestures during a news conference to present the new Windows 7 operating system in Munich October 7, 2009. Microsoft's release of its new. Windows 7 operating system is expected to increase demand for personal computers only slightly, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told journalists in Munich on Wednesday. Major new software updates from Microsoft, whose Windows operating system runs about 90 percent of the world's PCs, are in general eagerly awaited by computer makers who hope for a sales boost.
  8. MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation Steve Ballmer addresses the media during a news conference on October 7, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Ballmer talked about the upcoming launch of the new Windows 7 computer operating system.
  9. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro listens during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  10. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro speaks during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  11. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro (L) listens during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  12. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro speaks during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  13. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro listens during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  14. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro (L) listens during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  15. WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 30: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Schapiro speaks during a public roundtable meeting at the headquarters of SEC September 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The meeting was to discuss possible measures to limit the short selling of stocks.
  16. Director of Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Enforcement Robert Khuzami is sworn in before testifying before a House Oversight and Government Reform hearing on "Bank of America and Merrill Lynch: How did a Private Deal Turn into a Federal Bailout? Part V" on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 11, 2009.

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