Citigroup says Microsoft likely to raise Yahoo offer

Citigroup said it is likely Microsoft will raise its $31-per-share offer for Yahoo, and upgraded Yahoo shares to "buy" from "hold."

The brokerage also raised its price target on Yahoo's stock to $34 from $31, saying it believed Microsoft remained committed to its offer and "is capable of and willing to" increase that bid to conclude the deal.

"While we continue to see no other competing bidders, we believe Yahoo is aggressively pursuing strategic alternatives," analyst Mark Mahaney said in a note to clients.

One possibility is a tie-up with Time Warner, whereby Time Warner would contribute its online content assets to Yahoo in exchange for a stake, the analyst said.

"We believe this could serve as a forcing function to a higher Microsoft bid."

Citigroup said it continues to view a Microsoft-Yahoo deal as the most likely outcome.

Story Copyright © 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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Who listens to Citi?

Why would MS raise the bid when there is no competitive counteroffer? No wonder Citi is tanking - with analysts like this, who would trust Citi?