BILL’S HARD DRIVE

Stung by the loss of Internet advertising firm DoubleClick to Google last month, Microsoft has intensified its pursuit of a deal with Yahoo!, asking the company to re-enter formal negotiations, The Post has learned. While Microsoft and Yahoo! have held informal deal talks over the years, sources say the latest approach signals an urgency on Microsoft’s part that has up until now been lacking.

Ahead of the Bell: Microsoft, Yahoo

Software maker Microsoft Corp. asked search engine operator Yahoo Inc. to re-enter formal negotiations for an acquisition that could be worth $50 billion, the New York Post reported on Friday.

Microsoft pursues Yahoo! takeover

The NY Post has the exclusive story this morning: Microsoft has once again approached Yahoo!, asking the Sunnyvale based search portal and content destination to come to the table and negotiate a friendly takeover by Microsoft. The same report values Yahoo! at $50 billion; the interest by Microsoft is said to be serious to the point that world renowned bankers Goldman Sachs are advising Microsoft on the deal.

MASSIVE: Microsoft May Acquire Yahoo for $50 Billion

This deal will be huge if it goes ahead: Microsoft has reacted to GoogleРІР‚в„ўs purchase of DoubleClick by stepping up talks with Yahoo about a possible acquisition/merger. Estimated pricetag for Yahoo? $50 billion.

Should Microsoft buy Yahoo?

The big story this morning - based on a highly speculative report in The New York Post - suggests that there could be a $50 billion deal in the making, as Microsoft makes plans to buy Yahoo. Now WSJ is reporting on the deal, saying the talks are at very early stage. UBS Research has some interesting stats on the combined company, if the merger does happen.

A combined MSFT/YHOO would have 38% of US search share (vs. GOOG 48%), 27% worldwide (vs. GOOG 66%), 12% of US total page views (vs. GOOG 3%), and 19% of US total minutes (vs GOOG 3%).