Amazon.com Inc snapped up live-streaming gaming network Twitch Interactive for about $970 million in cash, reflecting Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos' resolve to transform Amazon into an Internet destination beyond its core retail operations.The move, announced by the two companies on Monday, is the largest deal in Amazon's 20-year history and will help the U.S. e-commerce company vie with Apple Inc and Google Inc in the fast-growing world of online gaming, which accounts for more than 75 percent of all mobile app sales.The acquisition involves some retention agreements that push the deal over $1 billion, a source close to the deal told Reuters."Twitch will further push Amazon into the gaming community while also helping it with video and advertising," Macquarie Research analyst Ben Schachter said in a note.
Apple Inc. (Apple) designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players, and a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Shares of AAPL traded higher by 0.22% or $0.22/share to $101.54. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $63.89 and as high as $101.47. On average, 53119500 shares of AAPL exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 40213716.
Amazon.com, Inc. (Amazon.com) serves consumers through its retail websites and focus on selection, price, and convenience. Shares of AMZN traded higher by 0.73% or $2.43/share to $334.02. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $279.33 and as high as $408.06. On average, 3789660 shares of AMZN exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1960729.
Google Inc. (Google), is a global technology company. Shares of GOOG fell by 0.41% or $-2.36/share to $580.20. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $502.80 and as high as $604.83. On average, 1589460 shares of GOOG exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1358570.
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