Microsoft is now leaning towards a hostile takeover of Yahoo, the Wall Street Journal reports today, citing "people familiar with the matter." But it also quotes CEO Steve Ballmer as saying, sure, he can organically build a competitive ad network without Yahoo -- it "could just take more time." And, believe me, I'm as willing as ever to buy Yahoo for a fair price.
Phew. So as of late last night, anyway, WSJ's bad-cop sources were signaling that a newly-empowered Ballmer is inclined to take the gloves off and the man himself wants us to know he can take it or leave it and is not married to a price that may have made sense only three months ago -- sorry for the misunderstanding.
In a speech to staff -- comments served up to WSJ by a spokesman -- Ballmer left a little wiggle room about not going a dime above the original and only official offer of roughly $29.
The WSJ reports that Ballmer told the assembled he wouldn't pay "a dime above" what he thought Yahoo was worth. "I will go to what I think it's worth if that gets a deal done, Ballmer was quoted as saying.
Microsoftees this week privately indicated a willingness to go as high as $33. Yahooligans are looking for at least $35. First quarter earnings are conveniently out already so the cards, as they say, are all on the table.
Anyone else feel the room getting a little smaller?
But wait -- there's more.
Reuters reports that a non-exclusive partnership that would involve Yahoo carrying Google advertising alongside Yahoo's Web search results could be announced next week. That wouldn't preclude a Microhoo deal, but it could muddy the waters even more -- and it sure makes it look like Yahoo isn't getting the vapors yet over a possible tie-up with Microsoft.
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/05/wsj-miscrosoft.html
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home