AOL and Private Equity Firms Explore an Offer for Yahoo

[skibum]

AOL Inc. and several private-equity firms are exploring making an offer to buy Yahoo Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, devising a bold plan to marry two big Internet brands facing steep challenges.

Silver Lake Partners and Blackstone Group LP are among the firms that have expressed interest in teaming up with AOL to buy Yahoo or trying to take it private on their own, these people said. They added that at least two or three other firms could be interested in participating if a formal buyout proposal is drawn up.

[online.wsj.com...]

Seems like they've been sliding for a long time, but AOL to buy Yahoo!? Such a shame how they've gone downhill over the years and ignored search and data which is the backbone and the key to all the success Google has had. Seems like under Bartz they've purposely tried to turn themselves into just a shell withe the only asset being the name of the company. :(

[engine]

Yahoo Said to Hire Goldman to Handle Takeover Approaches
[bloomberg.com]

Yahoo! Inc., which spurned an unsolicited offer from Microsoft Corp. in 2008, is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to help defend against possible takeover approaches, said three people familiar with the matter.

While the Sunnyvale, California-based company hasn’t received an offer, Yahoo has been working with advisers for about two weeks to field any approach, said the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private. AOL Inc. has talked with private-equity funds including Silver Lake about a possible bid, two people familiar with the matter said.

Looks like they don't want to give up easily.

[Strapworks]

Looks like they don't want to give up easily.

No, they just don't want to admit they screwed up and sell for a lot less than they could have a long time ago.
They are in scramble mode right now to make a quick buck before they don't make anything.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Looks like yahoo.com has been down for the better part of an hour now, you get "Server hangup" when you try to visit. That's a great takeover defense :-)

[live4life]

Yahoo potentially is massively undervalued. Its a great buy. Its inroads into ISP are significant, its mail is the best on the net and it has a portfolio of websites that are potentially market leaders. Its internet audience participate and it stands alone as a brand thats threatened by weaker companies.

What Yahoo need is not a takeover, but an investor that can capitalize on its assets and reinvigorate the company. The company needs to reinstall the people that established Yahoo as a brand name but advise them with a proper understanding of the market they are in.

Much of the clever work done at yahoo is under marketed and unknown to the public. They have in recent times let slip some of the best people online acquired through purchase of companies. Yahoo is a brand that has become destabilized by a constant rumor of takeover.

[moTi]

funny, the biggest capital wrecker in internet history (time warner, netscape,..) buying up the second biggest (broadcast.com, geocities,..)?

just a shell with the only asset being the name of the company

exactly. yahoo never had a usp. unbelievable, that they're still around - just like aol. loser companies. over the years they've caused so much damage, wiped out so much shareholder value.. it's just disgusting.