i Develop Stocks Advisory

Microsoft offers to acquire Yahoo! for $44.6 bn Microsoft today offered to acquire Yahoo! Inc for about $ 44.6 billion. Yahoo! said its Board of Directors would evaluate the unsolicited proposal "carefully and promptly in the context of Yahoo!'s strategic plans and pursue the best course of action to maximize long-term value for shareholders." The Microsoft CEO, Mr Steve Ballmer, in a statement, said the deal would help both the companies to "become better positioned to compete in the online services market". Microsoft said its $31 per share offer represented a total equity value of approximately $44.6 billion of Yahoo!. The offer represents a 62 per cent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock on January 31. Microsoft's proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock.