Samsung, Microsoft Caught in Nokia Buyout Rumors

Microsoft and Samsung continue to fend off rumors that they have any intention of purchasing cell phone maker Nokia.

Samsung today denied its interest in the acquisition, according to Reuters, while news that Microsoft momentarily considered a buyout has surfaced.

"The rumor regarding the acquisition of Nokia is groundless," a Samsung spokeswoman said today in a statement.

Nokia has lost its footing in the aggressive smartphone world. In April, IHS iSuppli and Strategy Analytics confirmed in separate reports that as the world's top phone maker for the first time in 14 years.

The company's shares recently dropped to a 15-year low, falling 40 percent in the last three months, The Register reported. Its shares rose 6 percent last Friday, however, amidst rumors of a Samsung buyout, which analysts described to Reuters as an attack of "Friday madness."

"Samsung is flying at the moment and it is hard to see what it would gain from buying Nokia," Ovum analyst Nick Dillon told Reuters.

Nokia declined to comment on the market rumors; Microsoft did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Nokia last year pledged to focus its smartphone efforts on Microsoft's Windows Phone line, introducing the Windows Phone-based Lumia line .

According to The Register, Microsoft was given access late last year to Nokia's books to evaluate the company for acquisition, but it was not impressed. "The story is that having had a gander, Microsoft walked away," The Register said.

"The only reason Microsoft would have paid a premium for Nokia last year was to keep it out of the hands of a rival," the story continued. "But it's hard to see which buyer would have valued Nokia as highly as Microsoft does, and would have paid a premium."

In April, with the AT&T Lumia 900 smartphone forced the company to offer a $100 credit to all users. A month later, claiming fraud; the suit alleged that Nokia told investors that Windows Phone would "halt its deteriorating position in the smartphone market."

Last week, with three new "smartphone-like" handsets.

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