Alibaba in talks with group to buy all of Yahoo
updated 08:00 pm EST, Wed November 30, 2011
Asian retailer collaborating with Softbank
Alibaba is said to be involved in ongoing negotiations with Japanese cellular carrier Softbank in an attempt to establish a group that is financially capable of buying Yahoo outright. Unnamed sources familiar with the matter have told Bloomberg that Blackstone Group and Bain Capital are also participating in the talks.
The report is one of several recent leaks pointing to quiet collaboration between companies that are eyeing part or all of Yahoo's business. Yahoo is said to be changing its own position in an attempt to avoid losing control of its business.
The company's board is claimed to be meeting with other potential suitors, including TPG Capital and Silver Lake, which have proposed offers for a minority stake. Such bids are said to be for less than $17 per share, while an outright purchase is expected to fetch more than $20 per share.
The Alibaba-lead group is said to be waiting for Yahoo to willingly engage in talks toward a complete buyout, however the companies are said to be leaving open the possibility of a hostile takeover.
