Date: 04-23-2008
Strong financial results from Yahoo could force Microsoft to up its bid for the company from an estimated $43 billion, according to analysts. Yahoo has been trying to strengthen its position through a series of maneuvers to increase its stock price. It will also depend on its quarterly financial statement to protect and/or raise its total value in the eyes of investors. A stronger Yahoo might leave Microsoft with only to basic options: either go completely hostile to win its prey or cough up more money to sweeten the offer. Yahoo’s stock rose 12 cents to $28.55 per share yesterday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Yahoo recently launched two new web initiatives, including a search outsourcing alliance with Google and a deal to merge with AOL, in order to make a case for increasing the takeover price to more than the $31 per share originally proposed. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul and head of News Corp., has left the door open to participate in a joint venture with Microsoft to acquire Yahoo
