Yahoo: “Not Opposed” To Selling Our Search Business

2009 February 25
by Michael H. Berkens

There have been a few stories in the last days that seem to indicate that Microsoft is still interested in Yahoo or at least its search business.

Today Chief Financial Officer, Blake Jorgensen of Yahoo said it was “not opposed” to doing a deal that would potentially sell its search business.

However, he went on to say that the search business is deeply intertwined with Yahoo’s other online products and properties, and so any deal, whether a partnership or a sale, would be done for the right reasons and the right economics.

“It’s extremely difficult to draw a line down the middle of the organization and split it into two pieces,” Jorgensen told the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet conference.

Collins Stewart analyst Sandeep Aggarwal said these comments are signs the language between Yahoo and Microsoft is becoming softer, suggesting the companies could be entering a “more polite negotiation phase.”

3 Responses leave one →
  1. 2009 February 25

    I know most people want them to sell, but IMHO I think they’d be crazy to sell. If I had such a powerfull asset as Yahoo Search, it would take alot of money to get it out of my hands. They’ve got the keys to a gold mine. I think there is still alot more gold in there.

  2. 2009 February 26
    Johnny permalink

    I agree with jp.

    Search will help grow display and vice versa.

  3. 2009 February 26
    MHB permalink

    UPDATE

    Chief Financial Officer, Blake Jorgensen, was fired today

    Yahoo said his firing was unrelated to his comments

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