SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Yahoo, which rejected a Microsoft buyout offer last year, hasn’t ruled out striking a deal with the company to bolster its Internet search engine, chief financial officer Blake Jorgen sen said. Any agreement would have to maximize the unit’s value, Jorgensen said Wednesday at an investor conference.
He added that it would be extremely difficult to separate Yahoo’s search business from the rest of the company, though not impossible. Under a partnership, Yahoo should continue to have full access to the search-engine data, which the company uses to make its display advertising more effective, he said.
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer raised the prospect of a search deal with Yahoo on Tuesday, saying it would help both companies compete against market leader Google. Ballmer signaled that he would be willing to work with Carol Bartz, Yahoo’s new CEO, to reach an agreement. Bloomberg News
