Palm Inc. (NDAQ:PALM) shares moved up $0.73, or 4.02%, to $18.87 today after Unstrung.com said that a Palm buyout could be finalized by Thursday of this week, citing sources close to the situation. The popular technology news source said that Nokia was the leading vendor bidder with Palms' management said to be the preferred private equity buyer. The deal reportedly includes bids from two private equity firms, two vender companies, and would top $20 per share. Many are also quick to note that Motorola may attempt to block any bids from Nokia in an effort to increase their pricing power with Palm's successful Treo line and quiet Carl Icahn who recently complained that Motorola was not utilizing its cash. Finally, a Motorola buyout would also block Nokia from taking control of the enterprise market. So, while we do not have sure bids yet, it is almost certain that PALM will be bought out by someone in the very near future - the question just remains by whom and for how much?

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