Research in Motion Ltd moved higher on Thursday on renewed market speculation that Microsoft Corp could be interested in buying the BlackBerry maker.

“Microsoft has been mentioned as a possible buyer,” said Frederic Ruffy, an analyst at options education firm Optionetics in California.

“According to speculation, the software giant might be interested in RIM in response to Google’s recent announcement that it is interested in making its own mobile phone operating system, which would compete with Windows Mobile,” he added.

RIM shares were up 3.35 percent at $84.59 in midday trading after posting a new high of $85 on Nasdaq.