by , 12:35 PM EDT, July 15th, 2005

Despite a continued drop in the company's share price in the United States, Creative Technology saw four straight days of gains in its Singapore stock, thanks to rumors that Microsoft might invest in, or possibly buy, the struggling firm. According to a Reuters story, however, Creative's Singapore shares were down 4.4% to S$13.10 (Singapore dollars) on Friday, which still left them up 29% from the start of the week. However, they're down almost 50% for the year, making them one of the worst performers in a stock market that is up overall at this point in 2005.

According to a Business Day story published on Thursday: "Microsoft was 'working hard' to make it easier for Creative and other companies to use Microsoft software for its MP3 players, a Business Times report on July 9 quoted [Bill] Gates as saying. 'The iPod has done great marketing and great design,' Gates was quoted as saying. 'We have to do something with our partners that's just better.'"

Those comments were enough to spark a rally in Creative's Singapore shares, although the company's U.S. stock continued to languish. As of 12:30 PM EST on Friday, they sat at US$7.72, down 1.78% for the day. While the overall NASDAQ was also down at that time, Apple's shares were $41.50, up 1.84% so far in Friday trading.