Yahoo’s board of directors officially decided to turn off Microsoft’s hostile acquisition offer for 44.6$ Billion, price that presented $31 per share, a week ago. The rejection adds 2% to Yahoo’s share, 0.2% to Google’s share and -2% reduction on Microsoft’s share. In a press release, Yahoo says the bid is substantially lower than its real value and refuses to consider any offer under 40$ per share.
…”Yahoo! Board of Directors has carefully reviewed Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal with Yahoo!’s management team and financial and legal advisors and has unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders.”
“After careful evaluation, the Board believes that Microsoft’s proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo! including our global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as our substantial unconsolidated investments.”
But this is not the end of the story, since Microsoft clings with its original offer. The company holds 2 operative alternatives, the first is to raise the bid and the second is to pursue Yahoo’s share holders to support the acquisition offer, as many of them own Microsoft’s shares as well. In a public statement, Microsoft is trying to stick with the previous bid, explaining the essential of merging with Yahoo:
“It is unfortunate that Yahoo! has not embraced our full and fair proposal to combine our companies. Based on conversations with stakeholders of both companies, we are confident that moving forward promptly to consummate a transaction is in the best interests of all parties.”
…”A Microsoft-Yahoo! combination will create a more effective company that would provide greater value and service to our customers. Furthermore, the combination will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling number two competitor for Internet search and online advertising.”
“The Yahoo! response does not change our belief in the strategic and financial merits of our proposal. As we have said previously, Microsoft reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps to ensure that Yahoo!’s shareholders are provided with the opportunity to realize the value inherent in our proposal.”
It seems the idea of a Google-Yahoo collaboration is terrifying Microsoft and Redmond is not going to give up yet.
