Shares of Adobe Systems Inc. surged as much as 17 percent, triggering exchange circuit breakers meant to curb volatility, after a report that Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve A. Ballmer discussed buying the maker of graphics software.  Adobe shares jumped as much as 17 percent to $30, triggering the circuit breaker halt for five minutes. The shares were up 8 percent at $27.79 at 3:18 p.m. in New York after trading resumed.  The New York Times reported on its website that Ballmer visited Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen with a “small entourage of deputies” at Adobe’s offices in San Francisco. The discussion centered around Apple Inc.’s control of the mobile-phone market and how the two companies could partner to compete with the maker of the iPhone, the Times said. A possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft was discussed, the report said.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Regan at mregan12@bloomberg.net

Source: bloomberg