Microsoft-Intuit Deal In Jeopardy?

The U.S. government might be poised to block Microsoft’s purchase of the company that makes Quicken personal-finance software - or at least force some conditions before approving it - according to reports circulating Thursday on Wall Street.

Industry trade writers have speculated for days that the Justice Department was about to block Microsoft’s purchase of Californiabased Intuit Inc. But reports caused only mild concern until Thursday, when they were picked up by Bloomberg Business News, a service followed closely on Wall Street.

Intuit’s stock dropped as much as $4.50 Thursday morning before recovering to close at $76.25, down $1.25. Microsoft’s stock was not hurt as badly by the report. It closed at $75.25, down 87.5 cents.

Microsoft spokeswoman Erin Carney called the reports “rampant speculation” and said the company remains confident the deal will close.