Microsoft to Buy Yahoo: Blogger

Says software company has sent a clear signal of intent
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2007 1:24 PM CST
Microsoft to Buy Yahoo: Blogger
Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, speaks during Tech.Ed, a technology conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. The Chinese characters are part of slogan which reads 'Reveal the trends, share the success' (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)   (Associated Press)

Microsoft wants to buy Yahoo, blogs Huffington Post’s Henry Blodget—there’s no other way to interpret comments made by a honcho Thursday that the Bill Gates brand plans to up its online search market share from its current 10% to 30%. Do the math, says Blodget: Acquiring Yahoo’s 19% share would “instantly” put Microsoft at about 30% (Google boasts 67%).

Despite effort to expand in recent years, PC World reports, Microsoft’s online division has largely failed—and now loses $1 billion annually. Rumors circulated earlier this year about a Yahoo buy, but were squelched by another big purchase. But investors are buying Blodget’s buzz, as Yahoo stocks gained 6% Friday. (More Microsoft stories.)

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