Microsoft-Yahoo: No Real End In Sight—To The Scheming, That Is; Latest Has MSFT Seeking Help
The latest variation on the Microsoft-Yahoo theme comes courtesy of the Wall Street Journal, which is reporting that Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is looking for lab partners in some kind of Yahoo dissection. Microsoft has talked to News Corp (NYSE: NWS) and Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) about possible partnerships, says WSJ; no one seems to actually expect those chats to pan out. Then again, Yahoo is talking to AOL, too, says DJ sib Boomtown.
WSJ: “Some of the people familiar with these talks say they are preliminary and unlikely to result in a deal with Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO). Indeed, two weeks ago, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer called Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock to suggest they meet to discuss a new idea involving other partners, according to a person familiar with the matter. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, was subsequently canceled by Microsoft, which Yahoo took as a sign that Mr. Ballmer’s efforts to find a partner have so far failed.”
WSJ says Yahoo in the form of Bostock and indie board member Ron Burkle offered a sale for $33-34 per share in mid-May, weeks after this was all supposed to be over, but Microsoft said no. Lots of details in the article for failed deal gluttons.
Meanwhile, the two continue to date others: Yahoo has its deal with Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Microsoft is acquiring Powerset.
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Posted In: Money, M&A & Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Companies, Microsoft, Time Warner, AOL, Yahoo
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Comments (2)
Jul 8, 2008 11:32 AM
Believe me, the last thing we need is an increasingly arrogant, completely discompassionate M$ trying to take over the world.
We need to add a new amendment that states it must concentrate on its own software until it finally works the bugs out.
Jul 9, 2008 3:58 PM
Believe me. Microsoft is a better product.