Friday, February 1, 2008

Microsoft Proposes To Acquire Yahoo! For $44.6B

Computer giant Microsoft said today that it is proposing to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock, in a deal worth $44.6B in cash and stock. Microsoft said it proposing to pay either cash or stock for Yahoo, with a total consideration of half stock and half cash to shareholder of Yahoo. According to Microsoft, the offer is a 62 percent premium over Yahoo's closing stock price as of yesterday. In dicussing the deal, Microsoft said it hopes the combination of the companies will help create a more efficient company; the firm is proposing to offer significant retention packages to Yahoo! engineers, leaders, and employees.