EBay paying up to $4 Billion for Skype

Skype logoCan you hear me, now? Money talks.

Reuters reports: “EBay Inc. has agreed to buy Internet phone-calling phenomenon Skype for up to $4.1 billion, tapping a hot source of growth and putting it into rising competition with rivals from Google to local phone company.”

EBay said on Monday it will pay $1.3 billion in cash and $1.3 billion in stock for explosively growing Skype, which will allow eBay to add free Web telephone calls to its online auctions. It will make a further payout of up to $1.5 billion if certain financial targets are met.

Skype expects revenue of $60 million this year and more than $200 million in 2006, but has yet to turn a profit. “

Damn. That’s called selling at a healthy multiple.

Tim Draper is a happy man.

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