Microsoft Yahoo deal back in the spotlight

By

Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Yahoo's search business may be back on the cards, according to fresh reports.

Microsoft Yahoo deal back in the spotlight
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said in an interview with The Financial Times that now is a good time for the software company to buy, while both firms are in the midst of management transitions.

Qi Lu, former head of search at Yahoo, recently joined Microsoft to head up its online operations, and Yahoo is currently looking for a new chief executive after the departure of Jerry Yang.

Reports on Friday suggest that the front runners for the Yahoo top job include Carol Barz, former chief executive of engineering software firm Autodesk, and current Yahoo president Susan Decker.

But if Ballmer is expressing renewed interest in buying Yahoo's search business, it represents a distinct change of heart from last year when he reportedly told attendees at the Committee for Economic Development that he was no longer interested in buying Yahoo or any part of it.

"We made an offer, we made another offer, it was clear Yahoo did not want to sell the business to us, and we moved on," he said at the time.

"We are not interested in going back and [reconsidering] the acquisition. They turned us down at US$33 a share; move on."

Microsoft could not immediately provide comment on the reports.
Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright ©v3.co.uk
Tags:

Most Read Articles

ANZ Institutional readies go-live for "multi-agent chatbot" amie

ANZ Institutional readies go-live for "multi-agent chatbot" amie

Westpac pilots AI to analyse inbound call content

Westpac pilots AI to analyse inbound call content

Westpac hires CBA's data chief to lead AI, data and digital

Westpac hires CBA's data chief to lead AI, data and digital

ANZ explores agentic AI opportunities

ANZ explores agentic AI opportunities

Log In

  |  Forgot your password?