Microsoft $MSFT (+0,15 %) says goodbye to Skype
Microsoft will discontinue the operation of its video telephony program Skype. This was announced by Skype on the short message platform X. "From May 2025, Skype will no longer be available," the post on X reads. To support users, they will be able to sign in to Microsoft Teams with their Skype account free of charge in the coming days to keep their chats and contacts. Skype was founded in 2003 and made it possible for the first time for a wide audience to make free voice and video calls over the Internet. Most recently, the platform only had around 30 million users per month.
Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for USD 8.5 billion, but was unable to establish the service as the leading communication service in the long term. The introduction of Microsoft Teams in 2017 led to a decline in Skype user numbers, which continued to fall during the coronavirus pandemic. The Microsoft share price is currently trading at USD 390.40 on the NASDAQ, down 0.54%.
BASF plans $BAS (+1,01 %) Profit increase
BASF plans to significantly increase its operating profit this year. The chemical giant announced plans to increase its adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) to between 8.0 and 8.4 billion euros, up from 7.86 billion euros last year. All segments, with the exception of Chemicals, are expected to contribute to the increase in earnings. The forecast is in line with analysts' expectations. In addition, shareholders are to receive a minimum dividend of EUR 2.25 per share for 2024, which represents a decrease compared to the previous year's EUR 3.40.
BASF has already achieved annual cost savings of around €1 billion as part of its ongoing cost-cutting programs and is targeting total savings of €2.1 billion by the end of 2026. BASF's CEO, Markus Kamieth, expressed confidence about sales growth in all divisions for 2024 and expects total sales volumes to increase by 3 percent. In the meantime, BASF shares rose by 0.93 percent to 49.22 euros on XETRA.
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