Yang courts Microsoft: Show me the money

Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang talked to a few press outlets Monday, opening the door to further negotiations if Microsoft is willing to show him the money, or what he considers the appropriate price.

Microsoft's final bid was $33 and Yahoo held out for $37, or something close to that number, but Ballmer decided on Saturday not to continue the courtship. With Yahoo flaunting its possible ad serving deal with Google and holding out for an 80 percent premium over the January 31 closing stock price, Yang appeared to overplay his hand.

According to Reuters, Yang said it was Microsoft who decided to cease negotiations. With shareholder lawsuits piling up in the wake of the failed deal, the stock suffering, and no other suitor in sight, Yang may now be looking for rapprochement with Ballmer.

"If they have anything new to say, we would be open...I am more than willing to listen," Yang told Reuters.

[Commander_Spock]

Just as was said earlier, leave them (Yahoo) alone (walk away); and, they will bring their "tales" behind them. ;-) M :-$ M :-)

[Melekai]

I've heard of "buyers remorse"... but what is the saying for "oops I should have sold remorse"?

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

"Stuck with it, remorse"

[SpiritWater]

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

[Commander_Spock]

Microsoft needs Yahoo; and, Yahoo needs Microsoft; and, both need each other in "IBM's Lotus SmartSuite" - Yang-like ways!

That is the bottom line! ;-) M :-$ M :-)

[john55440]

You blew it Jerry --- and your lame attempts to rewrite history aren't convincing. It's too late now. Enjoy your "new improved" stock price. -LOL

[The_Decider]

It is higher than it was before the buffoons retarded offer.

Besides, this is a prime example of why the US is no longer the innovative leader. Everyone is looking to tear apart any company to make a buck.

[assman]

Yang is a moron.. he was getting way too greedy and let his company and shareholders down. I'm sure he managed to bankrupt a few investors (who should have realized the risk).

Yahoo is not worth $50B. Not even close. Ballmer is desperate and clearly was willing to go overboard just to one-up Google's Youtube deal. Now he won't get nearly as much as was originally offered. This man simply doesn't know how to run a company and played right into Microsoft's hands.

Anyway, I wasn't personally hurt by his moves as I don't own YHOO stock. I was thinking about buying today.. looks like I should have for some quick cash. It'll go back up tomorrow at least 5%

[assman]

Yang is a moron.. he was getting way too greedy and let his company and shareholders down. I'm sure he managed to bankrupt a few investors (who should have realized the risk).

Yahoo is not worth $50B. Not even close. Ballmer is desperate and clearly was willing to go overboard just to one-up Google's Youtube deal. Now he won't get nearly as much as was originally offered. This man simply doesn't know how to run a company and played right into Microsoft's hands.

Anyway, I wasn't personally hurt by his moves as I don't own YHOO stock. I was thinking about buying today.. looks like I should have for some quick cash. It'll go back up tomorrow at least 5%

[someguy999]

Wow... this even further goes to show how letting a 39 year old child run a 40+ billion dollar company single handledly is about the worse business move of all time. What's wrong Jerry? Lonely in your sandbox alone, especially since most of your true top talent has already fled or probably has interviews lined up (either way with or without a merger). You sort of made your bed, and you communication out to your troops that its time to execute on your plans... its just too bad no one knows what they are (including your employees).

[Penguinisto]

Funny, but Yang is one of the company's co-founders.

When you can point to your own multi-billion-dollar corp that you built yourself, maybe you'd have room to talk?

That's right - didn't think so.

[wango2007]

Yang is going to go down in history as the man who let the big deal get away. An ego-manical fool? Likely. His new spin on how it all went down is not passing the credibility test.

New leadership is needed at Yahoo. Yang is not competent it appears.

[The_Decider]

The "big deal" that would be nothing but destructive, just to make some greedy idiots a few bucks?

You think this is a good idea?

[JCPayne]

Yahoo doing fine all on it's own anyways.... They had a nice quarter last time around... They can do it again. The share drop is expected. If the deal had gone through plenty of people would have shed the stock after the deal too.... People ride these waves and as soon as a stock peaks they try to sell out.... That's what happened here.

[amarkj]

Yahoo is doing fine on its own? That's a minority opinion! Someone's been out of touch!

[JCPayne]

Yahoo should try to snag ClearChannel or XM-Sirius Radio. Then they can add one of those two to Yahoo's media arsenal.

[J. Blow]

Memo to Jerry -

Steve didn't "cease negotiations" as if you were working towards a resolution. Steve stopped because as he clearly stated you "poisoned the offering, asked for too much money, and didn't really seem interested in doing a deal".

See Jerry, that's what happens when a true negotiator comes to the table. He worked hard at it for months, bent over to make a deal happen but you weren't willing to work with him so he called it off. It's called a walk away position.

Have fund watching your share price plummet you dunce. I bet your employees aren't "rallying" now. ******.

[Penguinisto]

Didn't you admit to being burned by blind speculation in buying up a ton of YHOO stock? Heh - if you're looking to find a dunce, you need look no further than the nearest mirror ;)

[Alex Alexzander]

Would the frosting monkey boy or Yang can't cook just give me the $44 billion. I'll put it to good use, I swear.

[AppleSuxLeo]

They showed him the money...he was unable to see it as his eyes are just small slits.

[protagonistic]

I really can't blame Yang for not wanting a deal. Being acquired by MS has been the kiss of death for many a good company. From what I can see this has never been about what is or is not best for Yahoo, but about large investors wanting to make a killing on the stock before dumping it at a very nice profit.

[fredtheviking]

Yang is just doing damage control. He trying to placent Yahoo investors. As far as PR goes how else can Yang play it. Investors proably want to hang him out to dry. I have to say M$ play thier hand better than Yahoo did.