Microsoft, Salesforce talks fell through on pricing: CNBC

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and Salesforce.com Inc (CRM.N) held "significant talks" this spring but could not reach a deal over pricing, CNBC reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Microsoft was willing to offer about $55 billion for the world's biggest maker of online sales software. Salesforce founder and Chief Executive Marc Benioff had expected as much as $70 billion, CNBC reported on Friday.

Salesforce shares rose as much as 4 percent to $75.88 in afternoon trading. Microsoft shares fell 0.6 percent to $47.11 and were the biggest drag on the Nasdaq and S&P 500.

Microsoft did not immediately comment on the report. A Salesforce spokeswoman said the company would not comment on the report.

Microsoft is currently not weighing an offer for Salesforce, Reuters reported this month, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Salesforce, which was valued at $48.4 billion as of Thursday's close, reported a profit for the first time in seven quarters this week.

Bloomberg reported last month that Salesforce had been approached by a potential buyer.

(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan, Devika Krishna Kumar and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey)