Microsoft aQuantive Buy Leads to Profit-Sucking $6.2 Billion Write-Down

Microsoft is paying dearly for its 2007 aQuantive acquisition, taking a $6.2 billion write-down on the purchase that will likely erase its fourth-quarter profit.

The company announced the move on Monday, right before the July 4 holiday in the U.S., reasoning that "the acquisition did not accelerate growth to the degree anticipated."

In a press release, the company contrasted its success with its search engine Bing with aQuantive, which was absorbed into Microsoft's overall advertising unit and focused on online display ads. While Microsoft is pleased with Bing's success, "the companys expectations for future growth and profitability are lower than previous estimates" for its Online…
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