In New Theory of Hell, Microsoft-Yahoo Talks Never End
Microsoft (MSFT) and Yahoo (YHOO) have apparently taken some of their merger negotiations out of the press and into the boardroom. The two companies are said to be in “last-ditch” negotiations to reach a friendly deal, despite threats from the software giant this week that it would launch a hostile proxy bid or walk away from the deal entirely.
DealBook, citing a person involved in the talks, says Microsoft has upped its offer by several dollars a share and refers to the fresh talks as an “enormous breakthrough.” That said, the person also cautions that talks could still be postponed or collapse entirely.
Oh, one last thing: a deal is still not imminent. My God, what a fascinating new development.
Anyway, it seems Microsoft’s sweetened offer isn’t yet sweet enough for Yahoo, which worries that the merged companies would be forced to divest their email and instant-messaging assets by antitrust regulators. “We need a lot of reason to do the deal, because it could be very bumpy once we agree,” a Yahoo insider told BoomTown. “How damaged would Yahoo be if it did not go through or if important pieces of Yahoo had to be separated from the company?”
