Why Microsoft Caved. For Now.

I wrote Friday about the daunting math that Microsoft suddenly faced if it didn’t significantly boost its stake in Yahoo. In short, though Yahoo insiders and generally supportive institutions control less than 40% of Yahoo’s outstanding shares, they easily control a majority of shares likely to be voted in a hostile proxy contest. Average Joes rarely vote in such fights, boosting the power of the pros. Why Microsoft’s bankers at Morgan Stanley didn’t figure this out sooner–or why CEO Steve Ballmer didn’t listen–is one of the intriguing tales that may yet be told. As of the opening bell Monday morning, however, the math changes immediately …

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