Microsoft has once again put in an offer to buy Yahoo’s search assets — and once again been rejected. The latest offer was a joint one made by Microsoft and Carl Icahn. Yahoo slammed what it described was a “take it or leave it” offer and the one day deadline that came with it. But interestingly, Yahoo […]
Microsoft has decided to withdraw its offer for Yahoo and not pursue a hostile takeover bid, according to a letter from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, just released: “Clearly a deal is not to be.” This marks an amazing turn in the MicroHoo drama. When the acquisition bid was first announced in February, it was discussed […]
The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that Microsoft and Yahoo are holding talks to try and avoid the promised proxy battle/hostile takeover effort that is certain to be wearying for both sides. According to the paper, “Talks between Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. intensified Friday as the two sides explored the possibility of a […]
It’s Monday morning and there are no official statements from either Microsoft or Yahoo on the passage of the Microsoft-imposed three week deadline to respond to its takeover offer. (The deadline passed on Saturday.) The Wall Street Journal has a quick assessment of where things stand. Silicon Alley Insider also posts (picking up on an […]
The Seattle PI is suggesting that the fight for control of Yahoo’s board, which Microsoft had previously threatened, may begin in earnest this weekend. Conversations with institutional shareholders have already been taking place. The three week deadline set by Steve Ballmer for Yahoo to come to the table will expire this weekend; hence the Seattle […]
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the “initial test” of running Google ads on Yahoo search results had “positive results” and is thus moving forward. A range of blog posts offers speculation and cynicism about the story and what it may or may not represent for the potential MicroHoo deal. The original test was […]
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Yahoo’s second largest shareholder, investment firm Legg Mason, characterized Microsoft’s recent ultimatum letter as a tactical “blunder” and said it would support Yahoo’s independence if Microsoft maintained or lowered its current offer.
On Saturday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent a public ultimatum of sorts to Yahoo’s board: accept our offer or we’ll force it on you. Today Yahoo responded publicly to Ballmer’s letter. In essence it says: we’re “not opposed to a transaction” but pay us more.
Reuters is reporting that Microsoft may be reconsidering its bid for Yahoo in light of changed market conditions and signs of potential weakness in Yahoo’s “core business.” The article cites as sources the familiar unnamed “people familiar with the matter.” There are few details and nobody from either company comments.
In what may be a sign that Yahoo is starting to accept the very real possibility of being acquired by Microsoft, various sources, including the Wall Street Journal and CNET, are reporting that informal discussions were held between the companies on Monday in Silicon Valley. According to the WSJ’s report, Microsoft representatives pitched their vision […]
As Yahoo celebrates its 13th birthday, the looming question is: will the company be able to find an alternative to the Microsoft offer, or will Steve Ballmer & Co. prevail? According to the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo has recently “stepped up” talks with AOL about potentially folding AOL’s business into Yahoo.
Previewing the teams involved in the Google-sponsored Lunar X prize, Google co-founder Sergey Brin told the Associated Press following the event that he found the prospect of Microsoft owning Yahoo “unnerving.” Meanwhile, Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang, according to Charles Cooper at CNET, is “girding for the certainty of a coming proxy war with Microsoft.”
Bill Gates told Reuters that, with or without Yahoo, the company would be investing heavily in Web search over the long term to compete with Google. Whether genuine or a negotiating position, Gates’ remarks also suggest that there won’t be any significant adjustments in the bid amount, currently valued at just over $41 billion and […]
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., which had previously said it won’t be competing with Microsoft for Yahoo (largely because it doesn’t have that kind of cash), now emerges as a potential “white knight” in Yahoo’s struggle to a) avoid the Microsoft deal entirely, or b) have a credible bargaining chip to raise the bid. Silicon Alley […]
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Yahoo plans to reject Microsoft’s offer as insufficient: Yahoo’s board determined that the $31 per share offer “massively undervalues” Yahoo, the person said. It also doesn’t account for the risks Yahoo would be taking by entering into an agreement that might be overturned by regulators. The board […]
Yahoo has had a morale problem for some time, according to anecdotal reports from company insiders. Jerry Yang and other executives at the company have been trying urgently to fix that and restore the company’s former, dare I say it, esprit de corps. I had been told by one Yahoo engineer informally last week that […]