RIM shares ride back of daft rumour

SHARES IN Research In Motion are continuing to head north on the back of crazy rumours Microsoft will buy the Blackberry maker. The company passed its year high after speculation that Microsoft could spend upwards of $40 billion to buy the firm.

Our ten cents: ain't gonna happen. This is why.

One, Microsoft has kept its acquisitions under a ceiling of about $1bn with the recent exception of $6 billion buy Aquantive.

Two, the Aquantive deal was something of an exception and desperate measure, given the gold rush in internet advertising.

Three, buying RIM would stomp all over Microsoft's Windows Mobile strategy. Even though that strategy hasn't been a big winner, the company has been making solid-ish progress. RIM uses Java-based software which would be software garlic to Microsoft's Dracula if you'll excuse the rubbishy comparison.

Four, look, it just won't happen.