JSM Financial: Google in negotiations to buy travel software firm ITA.

April 21, 2010 - PRLog -- JSM Financial has learned of recent reports which indicate that Google Inc is currently in talks with travel software maker ITA Software Inc. ITA produces travel programs used by firms including Orbitz Worldwide Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts based firm is said to be seeking around $1 billion according to sources not wishing to be named. They added that the negotiations may not lead to any deal.

JSM Financial understands that Google would uses ITA Software’s tools, designed to assist users to access online flight information, to compete with travel-search features offered by Microsoft. Both Google and Microsoft are currently trying to get the upper hand in the U.S. online travel market which according to a travel consulting company generated $88.4 billion in 2009.

“Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information, and ITA does that for travel,” JSM Financial believes an analyst at a San Francisco research company was recently quoted as saying.

ITA Software Inc. lists both General Catalyst Partners and Sequoia Capital among its investors.

The Mountain View, California based Google Inc. whose share price has dropped by 10% this year has increased its drive for acquisitions in order to enter new markets while at the same time maintaining its lead in search related advertising. JSM Financial research shows that the firm has announced at least 6 takeovers this year alone.

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