Microsoft to wage proxy fight versus Yahoo?
updated 01:40 pm EST, Tue February 19, 2008
MS proxy war vs. Yahoo
Microsoft is indeed planning to pursue a "proxy war" against Yahoo management, according to reports. The New York Times cites anonymous sources close to the matter, who claim that if Yahoo does not concede to Microsoft's $44.6 billion takeover bid, it will use its influence on Yahoo shareholders to elect a Microsoft-friendly board of directors. This could be a vastly cheaper alternative to raising the value of the bid: while it would jump $1.4 billion for each dollar added to the share price, orchestrating a coup at Yahoo could cost just $20-30 million, factoring in a proxy solicitor and the cost of mailings to each shareholder.
Aiding the rumor is a new statement from Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, who tells the Associated Press that his company has not been negotiating with Yahoo. "We sent them a letter and said we think that's a fair offer. There's nothing that's gone on other than us stating that we think it's a fair offer," says Gates. "They should take a hard look at it."
Nominations for Yahoo's new board of directors end on March 13th.
competition
02/19, 02:10pm reply
is good!! :)
eldarkus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
a coup
02/19, 05:30pm reply
Probably a coup to kick Jerry Yang out just like how Steve Job was ousted.
coffeetime
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Joined: Nov 2006
Poison Pill?
02/19, 06:22pm reply
Is it legal for Yahoo's current board of directors to give themselves a $100billion bonus if Yahoo is ever sold to Microsoft?
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
uh, yeah
02/19, 08:17pm reply
Does anyone actually use Yahoo for anything? I guess MS didn't get the word on that.
Doofuses.
robttwo
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Joined: Nov 2005
stuff
02/20, 08:15am reply
Is it legal for Yahoo's current board of directors to give themselves a $100billion bonus if Yahoo is ever sold to Microsoft?
Yep, companies do it all the time. But it also could be killed by the stockholders if they had the guts.
Does anyone actually use Yahoo for anything? I guess MS didn't get the word on that.
I would say yes, otherwise why would they be worth $44 billion, or even exist as a company. If no one used them, not only why would MS be interested, but why would Google try to block it?
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
ho hum
02/20, 10:56am reply
frankly I'm apathetic on this. If MS buys/takes over Yahoo, what exactly are they going to do to revive this tired brand?
If Yahoo stays independent, what exactly are they going to do to become a viable competitor to Google?
Not much hope for Yahoo either way.
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
Microsoft at it again
02/20, 11:17am reply
Microsoft back to it's old Monopolistic ways. There like a spoiled brat, if they can't get there way nicely they have a fit.
horvatic
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Joined: Apr 2002