MSFT Grabs AQNT for $6B

Microsoft completed the largest buyout in its history today, snatching up online advertising firm aQuantive for $6B. Microsoft closed the deal on Friday and will dole out $66.50 in cash for each share of the Seattle-based company, which will de-list from the Nasdaq after nearly doubling in value after its filing today, CNET reports.

Microsoft says the tech firm will be invaluable in the company's ongoing efforts to capture share in the lucrative online ad market. The decision to purchase Aquantive earlier this year followed a chain of ad-firm buyouts from Google, AOL, and Yahoo. (More Microsoft stories.)