Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion

The largest worldwide social network Facebook has closed the acquisition of a well-known program for the exchange of news WhatsApp. The purchase price of $ 19 billion, described in the documents provided by the social network to the Commission on securities and stock exchanges of the United States.

According to the terms of the deal all caught up in the conversion shares WhatsApp redeemed and exchanged for 177,7 million shares of Facebook. Additionally, the shareholders WhatsApp has received almost 5 billion in cash.

Note that the main social network in the world has announced his intentions to acquire WhatsApp in early February this year. On the same day Facebook started all legal training that needed to be done to the historic merger. In early October 2014, the company received approval from the European Commission, which is expected WhatsApp, to prevent difficulties in the European markets.

Experts from Europe, which was considered the legality of the transaction concluded that its decision will not interfere with competition in the market of services for the exchange of quick news. "We have thoroughly analyzed this position and concluded that its decision will not interfere with competition in this dynamic market," quoting the statement of the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for competition Joaquin Almunia "Vedomosti".

Remember that WhatsApp is a common messenger for smartphones. the program allows you to send text news, images, video and audio. WhatsApp works on Android, BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, iOS, Nokia Series 40, Symbian, iPhone, Windows Phone. Note that the program has gained so much popularity in the world, namely, due to the fact that the proposals messenger are free throughout the year, and further, users are charged for just 99 cents for the year, with all of this, WhatsApp does not send advertising.

According to some reports, at the moment WhatsApp 600 million users, and Facebook 1.3 billion subscribers, when all of this 300 million using their messenger Facebook. But experts believe that this deal was interesting to both parties.

Remember that this is not the 1st case, when the largest social networking becomes increasingly popular program. Previously, Facebook announced the purchase of mobile lenses Instagram for $ 1 billion. The social network also paid for the app in cash and its own stock. At the same time the representatives of Facebook reported that bought the company will retain its own brand and top management and will develop independently from the largest social network in the world.

sections: World News, Economics