Microsoft Writing Off Nearly All of the $6.3 Billion It Paid for aQuantive

Microsoft said on Monday that it is taking a $6.2 billion non-cash charge to account for its disappointing 2007 acquisition of Internet advertising firm aQuantive.

That’s a huge charge — but even more significant when one considers what Microsoft paid for aQuantive: $6.3 billion.

“While the aQuantive acquisition continues to provide tools for Microsoft’s online advertising efforts, the acquisition did not accelerate growth to the degree anticipated, contributing to the write down,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft noted that its Bing market share has been growing as has the amount of revenue it gets per search. Nonetheless, Microsoft said that “while the Online Services Division business has been improving, the company’s expectations for future growth and profitability are lower than previous estimates.”