Gartner ITXpo

The Verbatim Transcript of Ballmer on Yahoo Deal: Separating Fiction From Truth

Kara Swisher in News on October 17, 2008 at 6:00 am PT

While many would like to see Microsoft reignite its bid for Yahoo, and as much as even good reporters insinuated that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said yesterday in an appearance that he was interested in reopening merger talks, the company will not and he is not. Here is what is true, based on talking to numerous sources.

Yahoo Share Price Microsoft CEO's Newest Cat Toy

John Paczkowski in News on October 16, 2008 at 10:58 am PT

With Yahoo’s stock trading at a 52-week low of $11.37, how could Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer fail to comment on the discrepancy between the company’s current share price and the spurned $33-a-share bid Microsoft made for Yahoo earlier this year? Speaking at the Gartner ITXpo in Orlando, Fla., this morning, Ballmer said that a Microsoft (MSFT) acquisition of Yahoo or its search business would still “make sense economically” for shareholders at both companies. That remark spiked Yahoo’s shares as much as 17 percent, though Microsoft quickly claimed it has no interest in acquiring the company.

Yahoo Share Price Microsoft CEO’s Newest Cat Toy

John Paczkowski in News on October 16, 2008 at 10:58 am PT

With Yahoo’s stock trading at a 52-week low of $11.37, how could Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer fail to comment on the discrepancy between the company’s current share price and the spurned $33-a-share bid Microsoft made for Yahoo earlier this year? Speaking at the Gartner ITXpo in Orlando, Fla., this morning, Ballmer said that a Microsoft (MSFT) acquisition of Yahoo or its search business would still “make sense economically” for shareholders at both companies. That remark spiked Yahoo’s shares as much as 17 percent, though Microsoft quickly claimed it has no interest in acquiring the company.