RSSDespite remark from Ballmer, Microsoft says it's not interested in Yahoo
By Tim Conneally | Published October 17, 2008, 11:10 AM
UPDATED Microsoft was forced to issue an official statement following CEO Steve Ballmer's comments yesterday morning at Gartner ITXpo. Ballmer's remark that a Microsoft acquisition of Yahoo still makes sense caused an upward jolt in Yahoo's stock value.
The company's official word came later: "Our position hasn't changed. Microsoft has no interest in acquiring Yahoo!; there are no discussions between the companies."
Yahoo's shares began trading this morning still a bit inflated as a result, with an opening value only about 5% lower than yesterday's highest.
MarketWatch's Rex Crum reported Ballmer's remarks this morning, which expressed confusion about what per-share price Yahoo expected from the Microsoft buyout offer. He maintained, however, that a combination of the companies is still an economically feasible option.
Since those comments were made, Yahoo's stock value, which closed yesterday at $11.75, shot up to $13.42, more than 13%. Microsoft's previous bid for Yahoo stock placed shares at $33 each, but today, Ballmer reproachfully said that even though stock in the company has dropped, it "probably thinks its still worth at least [that] much today."
Right now Microsoft's should give it's undivided attention to two things; fixing Vista and making sure the same mistakes are not repeated in Vista 2nd edition a.k.a. Windows 7.
http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/
(That's the new Apple ad in response to Microsoft's lame PC ads by the way) :)
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Ah, great to see the opinions of our residents experts giving advice to the CEO of one of the world's most successful corporations. It is so very educative - but to alleviate confusion:
MSFT sr. management can by all means be of the opinion that owning Yahoo IP/customer base makes strategic sense.
At the same time they may not be interested in resuming negotiations under the assumption that another attempt will be conducted with the same lack of professional as the last one.
Historically MSFT prefer to conduct such business low key and with little fanfare - although frequently not with success :)
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Except that BUSINESS is conducted via direct communication with the other party, NOT in the press! And it is not appropriate for any ongoing or pending business to be conducted in the press - regardless of who the individual or company is.
Now I realize that Ballmer is special, but hence the resultant problem!
And you will find that the policy regarding employees commenting publicly regarding any business dealings in any form are prohibited.
And henceforth we will expect you to be as vigilant in monitoring ALL such comments regardng ALL prominent personages in all of the major companies mentioned on this site....and NOT JUST MS.
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Well, as far as I can tell NO business is being conducted. The statement says there would be value in conducting it - not sure of course if he has a hidden agenda or this is just a casual opinion. It's amazing how much impact a casual (or not) word can have though - so you have a point...
Re policy - of course: There is a difference between a corporate officer and staff on many levels.
Hey, thanks for not dragging me into a political spat this time. I love a good argument as long as it is confined to a manageable issue.
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Awww... poor M$ fanboy, are you're feelings hurt by the reality of how lame M$ is as a company? Here, I'm on my way to ebay to get you a special pacifier with the Vista logo for you...
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So...why is Ballmer making any comments about this subject at all?
The irony is that if a mere employee made the same or similar statement that was published by the press, their @ss would be nailed to the wall!
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finally, some sense is revealed by microsoft.
perhaps, steve should be replaced as well for the faulty judgement. too many screw ups are attributed to customer dissatisfaction and confusion.
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Well that's one way to boost shares.
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No - here it ends ... http://www.microsoft.com...ss_fdn=Press%20Releases
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steve, just give up...
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lol a new way to fix the economy... microsoft and google can just say they are interesting in buying random companies. Talk about a nice way to stimulate the economy and get people back in gear.
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There you go.... it starts all over again.
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LMFAO
Dance little puppet, dance!
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