Finnish telecom giant Nokia, considered among the mosttrusted brands in India, is going through a bad patch with its shares at anall-time low, triggering speculation that it may be acquired by Microsoft.
Once the most valuable companies in Europe, the mobile telecom equipment firmhas seen its share prices fall to 2.20 euros in recent days -- the lowest sincethe mid-1990s.
The weekly Helsinki Times in its latest edition said the Nokia stocks were nowbelow book value - a situation described as "worth more dead thanalive" rhetorically.
"The investment community is fertile ground for rumours, and there areplenty about what could happen to Nokia. One of the most persistent rumours isthat Microsoft may buy the company," the weekly said.
"The alliance with Microsoft is a powerful one. Maybe Apple and Googlehave 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 Nokia. Things change in thisindustry. Microsoft, which is desperate to play catch-up in smart-phones, couldbuy Nokia today out of petty cash."
The Bill Gates-led US software and tech giant has about 46 billion euros incash equivalent, while Nokia's market value is 8.4 billion euros, the weeklysaid, adding there was no speculation on any other buyer for Nokia, ruling outApple, Samsung or RIM.
It also suggested that Nokia could try to reverse its fortunes with bold steps.