Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) is closer to naming a new chief executive, according to a source familiar with the board's thinking, but it lost a front-runner candidate on Tuesday when Ford Motor Co's (F.N) chief, Alan Mulally, said he would not be going to the software giant.
Mulally's comments reignited the guessing game over who will take over at Microsoft, following the elimination in December of another reported candidate, Qualcomm Inc's (QCOM.O) Steve Mollenkopf.