Microsoft CFO: No one asked about Yahoo, but...
Speaking on Monday at the Morgan Stanley Technology Conference, company's top bean counter says he's surprised that nobody asked about Yahoo.
Will he or won't he?
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell is speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology Conference at 8:45 a.m. PST on Monday. Maybe some comments regarding the Yahoo bid will fall from his mouth, and then again, maybe not.
Microsoft's big bid for Yahoo
Liddell's Webcast may add to comments made Monday by Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer in Hannover, Germany.
Ballmer made the case for the existing offer.
"The deal makes sense with the price and structure we announced. We hope it becomes reality," he told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
Update 9:20 a.m. PST: Morgan Stanley analyst and moderator Mary Meeker asked Liddell the effect of software as a service on Microsoft's business. In response, Liddell noted: "Software as a service will be a bigger part of our business, and things like a Yahoo acquisition is one way how we see that."
Update 9:47 a.m PST: As Liddell's presentation and the Q&A portion wrapped up, no one in the audience--to Liddell's surprise--asked a single question about Yahoo.
Hello...Microsoft is looking to lay down mega, mega, and, I say, MEGA bucks for Yahoo and no one at the investor/technology conference asked a single question about its bid.
That didn't stop Liddell from addressing the proverbial elephant in the room.
Said Liddell: "No one asked me about Yahoo, which is interesting. It's a small company we are looking to acquire, but the company has not yet formally responded to our offer...We will continue to look at our options and that is something I am incredibly systematic about."
The systematic approach Liddell referenced includes looking at the horizon for other acquisitions too. Of course, he didn't drop any names of who might fit the bill for those.