$240 million to beat back Google, Microsoft to 'global social'

Microsoft (NasdaqNM: MSFT) has taken a stake in Facebook, the second largest social networking site in the United States, increasing its leverage against Google. Yesterday (25), Microsoft announced that it paid $240 million to buy a 1.6% stake in Facebook, and expanded its advertising cooperation with the latter, and the two sides have pointed the road to future expansion directly to the huge overseas market. Microsoft shares closed at $31.25 yesterday, up 1.13%.