Microsoft & Yahoo now talking

Just read from Yahoo! News that Microsoft and Yahoo! "senior management" met on Monday.

According to them, Yahoo! has been talking to Google, MySpace and AOL about alliances in order to increase Microsoft's offer price find alternative avenues to ward off a hostile takeover.

Y! also recently did an "Investor Presentation" which gives really rosy numbers and projections (again with the same goal.)

"The board cited Yahoo!'s global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as its substantial unconsolidated investments, as factors in its decision. Yahoo!'s board of directors is continuing to evaluate all of its strategic alternatives to maximize value for Yahoo! stockholders."

Bravo for looking after the stockholders. Oh.. who are Yahoo!'s largest stockholders and what do they want?

No. 1) Capital Research which owns 14% of Yahoo! has not said anything about deal. However, they also own 6% of Microsoft and have talked to Microsoft about this deal.

No. 2) Legg Mason (80 million shares, wants a deal)

So what about these new projections by Yahoo!?

Well the bottom of that Investor Presentation says it all:

"This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Yahoo!'s projected financial performance (including without limitation the statements and information in the quotations from management in this press release), as well as Yahoo!'s strategic and operational plans. Actual results may differ materially from the results projected."

Just do it, Jerry... Come over to the Dork's Side.