his blog has been rather quiet recently, but things should pick up shortly. I am in the process of relocating and other things have limited my time lately.

This Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo (YHOO) story just can’t get any more interesting. Now that MSFT has walked, what can we expect? Well, YHOO’s management team looks like fools, not only for misplaying their hand, but also for taking very lightly their fiduciary duty. Expect YHOO shareholders to revolt. I would not at all be surprised if YHOO is forced to do the deal, because the board really can not say anything to shareholders that remotely convinces them that the company is worth $37 per share or more. When the market thinks you are worth about $20 and someone offers you $33, you take it. End of story.

Even if MSFT really is out for good, this whole thing will help YHOO because it will have to work hard to make meaningful changes now that they balked at such a great buyout offer. The problem is that morale at Yahoo is probably at rock bottom right now, so any sense of renewed independent creativity is easier said than done.

I am still pretty surprised a deal did not get worked out by now, but I don’t think we’ve heard the end of it. If a deal does get done at some point this year, there will likely be an excellent entry point for MSFT created, so investors should keep that mind as this saga continues.

Anyway, the blog will get livelier soon, you have my word on that.

Full Disclosure: Long MSFT and YHOO at the time of writing

Last 5 posts by Chad Brand

• Are Legacy Costs Really AMR's Biggest Problem? - May 22nd, 2008
• $130 Oil Leads to Irrational Moves at American Airlines - May 21st, 2008
• Election Worries Have Put HMO Stocks Like United On Sale - May 16th, 2008
• Taking Some Profits in Apple - May 12th, 2008
• Citigroup First Quarter Update, As Promised - May 6th, 2008