14 DAY TRIAL // A new report that reached the web yesterday revealed that Microsoft was very close to naming a new CEO, as the company’s shortlist had been narrowed to only five names.
Such news caused Microsoft’s shares to skyrocket yesterday, reaching a 13-year high, according to a report by Reuters.
The stock recorded an increase of almost 4 percent to reach $38.08 (€28.15), the highest value since July 2000. The share price eventually settled at $37.83 (€27.97) during the afternoon, the same source adds.
Microsoft hasn’t yet comment on the possibility to name a new CEO by the end of the year, but people familiar with the matter are reporting that the shortlist now includes only five names, including Alan Mulally, Tony Bates, Satya Nadella, and Stephen Elop.
According to Rick Sherlund, a Nomura analyst, Microsoft is very likely to name Mulally the new CEO by December, with Ford’s current boss to take over from Ballmer in early January.