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]
