Yahoo's AOL, Google deals still in the works
Microsoft may no longer be breathing down its neck, but Yahoo is still working on major deals with Google and Time Warner's AOL that could significantly alter the Internet pioneer.
The nearer-term possibility is a partnership to use Google for delivering some ads next to Yahoo search results. That option apparently is still on track to be announced this week, perhaps Wednesday or Thursday, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The Google deal could increase Yahoo's revenue, because Google gets more revenue per click for its ads, but it also could reinforce Google's search-ad leadership and make it even harder for Yahoo to catch up with its own Panama system. And though Yahoo thinks it can address antitrust concerns by employing a system that's open to other ad suppliers as well, regulatory scrutiny is a significant factor.
A deal to acquire AOL also is under active consideration, although talks haven't progressed as far as with the Google arrangement, the source said. Under that deal, Yahoo would get AOL, sans its declining Internet access subscription business, and cash from Time Warner, and Time Warner would get a 20 percent stake in Yahoo.
Yahoo would use the cash to buy back its own stock, a move that could increase its value. Since most observers expect Yahoo's price to drop Monday because Microsoft walked away, Yahoo likely will face pressure to boost its share price.
Another possibility Yahoo explored was a partnership with Fox Interactive, but that didn't progress as far as the Time Warner deal, the source said.
Yahoo declined to comment on the possibilities.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
In the case of Yahoo, its value was at the time of the bid exactly related to the stock price it traded at. Sounds like I'm stating the obvious, but that is not what many believe. Let me explain, Microsoft obviously had some expectations about where they want to take the Yahoo merger and had a value in head for that. Yahoo on the other side of that equation was flying blindly, holding out for a value grounded in vapor that will blow away come Monday.
Now that we know Microsoft dropped its bid the stock will go back to what the company is really worth, on its own.
Way to make your stockholders mad.
- by benjaminstraight July 14, 2008 4:49 PM PDT
- benjamin straight writes: Ok, let's get it going. The deal will likely take a LONG time, though, because so much is as stake.
- Reply to this comment
-
(5 Comments)