Sun Microsystems' $2 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement with Microsoft Corp. on Friday has removed a major reason for the world's largest software maker to continue hoarding its $53 billion cash pile, analysts said.
The settlement, along with last week's decision by the European Commission to fine Microsoft 497 million euros ($603 million) and change the way it ships software, "clears the decks to deal with its cash position," said Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst Charles Di Bona.
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