Yahoo’s CEO and company board have pledged for several weeks now to refuse Microsoft’s semi-hostile bid, first made public in early February. They’ve stated with great conviction that the $44.6 billion cash-and-stock offer undervalues its operations, and will only seriously contemplate voluntary compliance to a buyout if Microsoft raises the number considerably. It has been widely claimed that individuals within Yahoo’s top ranks would be less opposed to an offer for the company if it were raised to around $40/share.
In the time since its announcement of its attempt to acquire Yahoo, Microsoft has remained quite adamant that the figure presented is a firm one. Even the soon-to-depart co-founder of the Redmond-based software giant, Bill Gates, has offered a public comment to the effect that his company will not add to the bounty. Today, Matthew Karnitschnig of The Wall Street Journal is reporting Microsoft’s continued resolve of its financial offer for ownership of Yahoo, and is “preparing to lay a long siege” in order to achieve the ends it seeks.