It should come as no surprise that Microsoft and Yahoo continue to hold talks. What I want to know is if they actually, you know, talk, at these talks.
The companies met again this week to discuss Microsoft’s offer to buy Yahoo, but once again, nothing was resolved, according to The Wall Street Journal. Microsoft is refusing to up its offer of $31-a-share for the company, and Yahoo is refusing to accept said offer. In negotiations, at least one side usually has to give a little. In this case, neither seems willing to do that — at least in any meaningful way.
Earlier this week, Microsoft said it would not bid against itself, a shot at the other side meaning it doesn’t think anyone can save Yahoo from its clutches (our coverage). Yahoo has already postponed its annual board meeting, hoping to find a way to stop Microsoft from going hostile in its takeover attempt, nominating its own board members who would approve the original deal it offered Yahoo. Microsoft claims it has no immediate plans to put its own board in place, but it is widely thought that this is exactly what will take place this summer when the meeting must take place (our coverage).
Yahoo reportedly wants a better offer from Microsoft before they will seriously talk about the deal, but while its been dragging its feet, the original offer has already lost some $2 billion in total value thanks to Microsoft’s falling stock price.
[photo: flickr/Jacob Botter]
Tags: co:microsoft, co:yahoo5 Comments
-
Don Jones said:
Time is on MSFT’s side, since there is no other suitor banging down YHOO’s door…
-
MG Siegler said:
@don - very true, which they for sure know.
-
Albert said:
I think they better ally up soon before Google takes more of the market share. Microsoft and Yahoo are a bit behind on the technological S-curve here and they know that they need each other to try to compete against Google. Google is also getting into a bind right now with their stock price dropping - hopefully their acquisition of Doubleclick is going to pay off.
@Don, I completely agree that nobody else is trying to buy out Yahoo right now. There isn’t much value in purchasing them right now other than to gain more market share. Microsoft also had a poor experience with Windows Vista - I will never use it.
-
MG Siegler said:
@albert - see new article, microsoft is starting to play a lot rougher to get the deal done…
-
a o^o i said:
this is the wrestle of 2 giants, the talks, the eats, got to be shaking n banging UP the floors n tables already. i shall hope the sky r collapsing as well, mates, get real! the regulators r perhaps merely could standing at the corners so r not quashed. the supporters of both sides r betting n sweating n breathing heavy! i tell ya, i ‘v been with Yahoo since i’ve email. i could/can only afford dos and later window. so i shall want to keep them wrestle ON, i m their Client, i do not wish to enjoy less from the 3 big players, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google ! hey, visit me here
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dc77sx6j_95dfwjtvfq
a o^oi @ pg, my 5Apr2008
3 Trackbacks
3:20 pm
Real threat or tactic? Yahoo’s stock plummets on threat of Microsoft pulling bid. » VentureBeat said:
[...] Microsoft’s offer in January, the two sides have held a few talks, resulting in nothing (our coverage). Microsoft has said it was not going to raise the offer since it feels Yahoo has no real [...]
9:07 pm
Microsoft puts Yahoo in a headlock and applies noogies. Wants lunch money in 3 weeks — or else » VentureBeat said:
[...] reports and rumors that have been floating around. Microsoft is giving Yahoo one last chance to come to the table to talk about the deal, or it will begin to engage in a hostile takeover — with a new offer [...]
2:17 pm
End credits ready to roll. Microsoft and Yahoo talking today, deal soon? » VentureBeat said:
[...] and Yahoo are talking once again today, according to The New York Times which cites a person involved in the discussions. Microsoft [...]