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Yahoo boss steps down from post Yahoo boss steps down from post
(10 minutes later)
The chief executive of internet search firm Yahoo, Terry Semel, has quit his position and has been replaced by co-founder Jerry Yang.The chief executive of internet search firm Yahoo, Terry Semel, has quit his position and has been replaced by co-founder Jerry Yang.
In the post since 2001, Mr Semel has been under pressure for some time amid disappointing trading results and the growing dominance of rival Google.In the post since 2001, Mr Semel has been under pressure for some time amid disappointing trading results and the growing dominance of rival Google.
The firm suffered a 16% fall in profits in the first three months of 2007.The firm suffered a 16% fall in profits in the first three months of 2007.
Mr Yang helped launch the business, which now has more than 500 million users worldwide, in 1995.Mr Yang helped launch the business, which now has more than 500 million users worldwide, in 1995.
Recent strugglesRecent struggles
Mr Semel will take on the role of non-executive chairman but will no longer be involved in the day-to-day running of the business.Mr Semel will take on the role of non-executive chairman but will no longer be involved in the day-to-day running of the business.
Yahoo has struggled in recent years, losing market share to rivals such as Google and being criticised for poor technology and a lack of innovation.Yahoo has struggled in recent years, losing market share to rivals such as Google and being criticised for poor technology and a lack of innovation.
This is a time for new executive leadership Terry Semel, former Yahoo chief executive This is a time for new executive leadership Terry Semel, former Yahoo chief executive class="" href="http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/shares/4/23096/intraday.stm">See Yahoo shares
Announcing his departure, Mr Semel said no-one at the firm was "satisfied" with the company's recent financial performance.Announcing his departure, Mr Semel said no-one at the firm was "satisfied" with the company's recent financial performance.
"This is a time for new executive leadership, with different skills and strengths, to step in and drive the company to realise its potential," he said."This is a time for new executive leadership, with different skills and strengths, to step in and drive the company to realise its potential," he said.
"It is the right thing to do and the right time is now.""It is the right thing to do and the right time is now."
In a statement, Yahoo acknowledged that the past year had been a "difficult one" for the business.In a statement, Yahoo acknowledged that the past year had been a "difficult one" for the business.
Jerry Yang takes over at a difficult time for Yahoo
But it stressed that it had made progress in key areas such as developing advertising search functions and building its presence in video and on mobile platforms.But it stressed that it had made progress in key areas such as developing advertising search functions and building its presence in video and on mobile platforms.
Mr Yang created the original Yahoo search engine in 1994 before helping to launch the business a year later. Mr Yang created the original Yahoo search engine in 1994 alongside partner David Filo before helping to launch the business a year later.
Since then, he has held a number of roles overseeing corporate strategy, technological development and international expansion.Since then, he has held a number of roles overseeing corporate strategy, technological development and international expansion.
Microsoft link
Yahoo has repeatedly been linked with a deal with Microsoft to try and counter Google's increasing supremacy in the online search market.
The two were reported to have held informal merger talks last year and to have revived discussions over possible co-operation earlier this year.
The two firms have dismissed the reports as speculation but, on both occasions, such talk led to a sharp increase in Yahoo's share price.
Mr Semel joined Yahoo at a time when its fortunes were at a low ebb following the collapse of the dot.com boom and helped to lead a revival in its business.
But Google's formidable growth and concerns about Yahoo's ability to respond has led to growing doubts about the firm's direction.
Yahoo's shares rose nearly 3% after news of Mr Semel's departure was revealed.