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Microsoft still keen on Yahoo bid | Microsoft still keen on Yahoo bid |
(30 minutes later) | |
Software giant Microsoft says it would be willing to re-open talks with Yahoo about a possible takeover if the search firm had a new board of directors. | Software giant Microsoft says it would be willing to re-open talks with Yahoo about a possible takeover if the search firm had a new board of directors. |
Microsoft had offered to buy its rival's search business but was rebuffed by Yahoo last month. | Microsoft had offered to buy its rival's search business but was rebuffed by Yahoo last month. |
A number of investors have criticised Yahoo's decision. The news sent Yahoo shares up more than 10% to $23.55. | |
Microsoft said it could start talks with a newly elected board after Yahoo's August shareholder meeting. | Microsoft said it could start talks with a newly elected board after Yahoo's August shareholder meeting. |
'Immediate proposal' | 'Immediate proposal' |
The software giant said in a statement it would be interested in discussing two options - buying the "search function with larger financial guarantees" or "purchasing the whole company". | The software giant said in a statement it would be interested in discussing two options - buying the "search function with larger financial guarantees" or "purchasing the whole company". |
Shareholder Carl Icahn is trying to oust Yahoo's board, including the internet firm's co-founder and chief executive Jerry Yang. | Shareholder Carl Icahn is trying to oust Yahoo's board, including the internet firm's co-founder and chief executive Jerry Yang. |
US billionaire Icahn, who has amassed a 5% stake in Yahoo, has been in talks with Microsoft over the past week about a possible deal. | US billionaire Icahn, who has amassed a 5% stake in Yahoo, has been in talks with Microsoft over the past week about a possible deal. |
The corporate raider has said that replacing Yahoo's nine directors at the firm's annual meeting on 1 August is the only way to salvage a deal with Microsoft. | The corporate raider has said that replacing Yahoo's nine directors at the firm's annual meeting on 1 August is the only way to salvage a deal with Microsoft. |
But Yahoo said the push by Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer and Mr Icahn to force it into selling its search business was not in the best interests of shareholders. | But Yahoo said the push by Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer and Mr Icahn to force it into selling its search business was not in the best interests of shareholders. |
"If Microsoft and Mr Ballmer really want to purchase Yahoo, we again invite them to make a proposal immediately," Yahoo said in a statement. | "If Microsoft and Mr Ballmer really want to purchase Yahoo, we again invite them to make a proposal immediately," Yahoo said in a statement. |
This is Microsoft's clearest message yet that it is willing to strike a fresh deal with Yahoo since takeover attempts collapsed last month. | This is Microsoft's clearest message yet that it is willing to strike a fresh deal with Yahoo since takeover attempts collapsed last month. |
Microsoft originally offered to buy Yahoo in January - with an offer worth about $47.5bn (£24.1bn). | Microsoft originally offered to buy Yahoo in January - with an offer worth about $47.5bn (£24.1bn). |
But Mr Ballmer withdrew that bid in May after Yahoo's boss Jerry Yang demanded a higher price. | But Mr Ballmer withdrew that bid in May after Yahoo's boss Jerry Yang demanded a higher price. |
The software maker then tried to buy Yahoo's search business for $1bn and pay another $8bn for a stake in its remaining operations. | The software maker then tried to buy Yahoo's search business for $1bn and pay another $8bn for a stake in its remaining operations. |
Yahoo spurned Microsoft, opting for an online advertising partnership with rival Google instead. | Yahoo spurned Microsoft, opting for an online advertising partnership with rival Google instead. |
That deal is being analysed by US anti-competition officials as the two firms combined would control more than 80% of the US search advertising market. | That deal is being analysed by US anti-competition officials as the two firms combined would control more than 80% of the US search advertising market. |