May 16 - 9:45am EDT
Yahoo is accelerating the process of launching an expanded Google deal to stave off investor Carl Icahn's board takeover attempt and a resulting Microsoft buyout, say alleged sources for the New York Post. The renewed threat of a Microsoft acquisition has supposedly led Yahoo to step up plans that would let any company make bids for ad placements on Yahoo's search system, effectively rewarding Google by handing the bulk of sales to the most dominant ad provider. [full story]
May 15 - 11:30pm EDT
Yahoo tonight responded to Carl Icahn's attempt to nominate a takeover board at the company by accusing the investor of "misunderstanding" the basis of Yahoo's decisions and being unaware of Microsoft's true behavior during its failed attempts to negotiate a takeover of the search firm. Yahoo Board Chairman Roy Bostock argues in an open letter to Icahn that Yahoo was "clear" on its unanimous rejection of the original Microsoft offer as undervaluing the firm and that it had repeatedly declared its openness to a higher-priced deal, which Microsoft had allegedly refused to consider until very late in negotiations. The finality of Microsoft's rejection should be as sign, ... [full story]
May 15 - 10:05am EDT
Investor Carl Icahn on Thursday revived the once-dead possibility of a Microsoft takeover of Yahoo by announcing his plans to launch a proxy battle to overturn Yahoo's existing board of directors. The billionaire's plans are now known to be more aggressive than recent rumors have predicted and include the nomination of a slate that would completely replace the Yahoo overseers, essentially guaranteeing a Microsoft buyout of the search engine firm by installing a board friendly to the idea. Icahn himself is one of the nominees. [full story]May 13 - 5:15pm EDT
Activist investor Carl Icahn may use his clout to instigate a proxy battle that pushes Yahoo towards accepting a Microsoft takeover, CNBC says. Those talking to Icahn allegedly say he will push for the nomination of three or four candidates to Yahoo's board of directors that would favor a Microsoft buyout, giving just enough influence on the ten-person board to have it vote in favor of the acquisition that it has resisted in the past. Dissatisfaction with Yahoo's rejection of Microsoft offers could make this simple, the sources explain. [full story]
May 9 - 1:15pm EDT
Google is interested in pursuing closer ties with Yahoo, according to the former company's founders. Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt made the observation before Google's annual general meeting on Thursday, in response to questions on whether they would move beyond a two-week trial of Google advertising on Yahoo's network. "We have been talking to Yahoo and we are very excited to be working with them," says Brin. He calls the trial program "successful," and suggests that it is a "good basis to talk to Yahoo some more." [full story]May 8 - 6:25pm EDT
Microsoft has put the final nail in the coffin in terms of the Yahoo merger, as the proposed proxy board received notice from the software giant Thursday morning, dismissing any responsibilities the board would have had in the event of a hostile takeover. The Wall Street Journal writes that Microsoft's law firm Sullivan & Cromwell sent out the notice, indicating that company is firmly rooted in its decision to not make a hostile bid for Yahoo. [full story]
May 8 - 4:05pm EDT
MySpace today introduced a new initiative that will see its users' data shared outside of the social network. The Data Availability framework will let any member of the MySpace service opt in to share profile info, friend networks, photos and videos to sites that will support the approach on their networks: MySpace users will have the option of posting their biography and latest blog updates to their Twitter profiles, for example, or bring images to Photobucket. eBay and Yahoo will also allow portability, with Yahoo's new Open Strategy allowing users to automatically fill in a profile that is viewable across much of the site's network. [full story]
May 7 - 1:45pm EDT
Microsoft has been exploring the possibility of buying out Facebook, journalist Kara Swisher claims. Her report cites sources who allege that Microsoft is delivering "subtle signals" to the social network via bankers to gauge if the company is interested in a takeover. No talks have been reported between the two, though some at the companies believe Facebook is likely to remain on its current track to becoming a publicly traded company rather than accepting a private deal. [full story]May 5 - 11:45pm EDT
With Microsoft retracting its bid Saturday, Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang today announced it would listen to any interested bidding parties, including Microsoft, despite explicitly saying the company is for sale.Bloomberg reports that Yahoo is currently evaluating revenue-generating relationships with companies such as Google and AOL to raise the company's value, but is leaving the door open "should somebody else come back someday and want to buy the company", said Yang. [full story]May 3 - 10:10pm EDT
Microsoft on Saturday evening triggered surprise by withdrawing its bid for Yahoo. Company chief Steve Ballmer has validated earlier public comments expressing doubt over the viability of concluding a deal and has revealed that Microsoft offered to raise its bid up to $33 per share in an attempt to win over the Yahoo board of directors, which has insisted so far that the initial $31 per share bid undervalues the search engine giant's worth. The Microsoft executive also states that Yahoo has insisted on a higher-still bid and that his firm doesn't consider an extended proxy effort to install a sympathetic board to be effective. [full story]May 2 - 4:00pm EDT
Microsoft and Yahoo are in genuine talks to agree on a merger, the New York Times says. The report claims to know people involved in the negotiations who say that Microsoft has agreed to raise its $31 per share bid by "several" dollars, in effect overcoming resistance by Yahoo to a deal which the latter has previously said undervalues its business. The conditions for the deal are in flux and aren't currently available. [full story]
May 2 - 2:15pm EDT
Yahoo's experimental Google AdSense deal could be rendered permanent within the next week, say alleged sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal. The search engine firm is said to be taking action after Microsoft's relative silence on whether it will launch a hostile takeover bid and is preparing an approach that would bring Yahoo closer to Google while opening the company to alternatives. [full story]
May 2 - 1:25am EDT
Microsoft appears to be siding with a hostile takeover approach to the current Yahoo situation, an insider revealed late Thursday. According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has yet to give an official word either way, but could come to a final decision tomorrow. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is faced with either pursuing hostile negotiations or backing away from the deal, as Ballmer himself admits that "the right circumstances" need to be present for it to happen. [full story]May 1 - 4:20pm EDT
Microsoft will take action on Yahoo's ultimatum rejection soon, company chief Steve Ballmer has said at a presentation for his firm's employees attended by Silicon Alley Insider. He acknowledges that Microsoft has missed its deadline for altering its strategy but adds that a maneuver will come in "very short order." This could include both a hostile attempt and the previously mentioned willingness to walk away if pursuing Yahoo proves fruitless. [full story]
April 30 - 11:50pm EDT
Microsoft head Steve Ballmer has yet to come to a decision regarding the impending Yahoo takeover, as even his closest lieutenants are left wondering what he plans to do regarding Yahoo's silence. According to The Wall Street Journal, Ballmer's threats remain stagnant due to his unpredictable nature, leaving many in the industry questioning whether he plans to follow through with replacing Yahoo's board through its investors. [full story]
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