Starboard Reiterates Yahoo Should Combine With AOL

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 9 January 2015 16:57 IST
Activist-investor Starboard Value LP has reiterated that Yahoo Inc should consider a merger with AOL Inc and cut costs to improve profits, spurred by media reports that Yahoo is exploring other large-scale acquisitions.

Starboard, in September, urged Yahoo to consider merging with AOL on the grounds that a deal could create up to $1 billion (roughly Rs. 6,245 crores) in "synergies" by reducing overlaps in online display advertising and other overhead costs.

The activist-investor holds stake in both companies.

Starboard said in a letter on Thursday that it was "increasingly concerned" by media reports of Yahoo planning acquisitions as it believed the company should first focus on monetizing its investments in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Yahoo Japan Corp.

Advertisement

Yahoo holds an approximately 15 percent stake in Alibaba valued at about $39.17 billion (roughly Rs. 2,47,953 crores) as of Wednesday's close and about an $8 billion (roughly Rs. 49,965 crores) stake in Yahoo Japan, as of September 30, 2014.

"A combination with AOL does make sense. They are two laggards who can combine forces and better compete with companies such as Google Inc," B. Riley & Co analyst Sameet Sinha said.

Advertisement

The Starboard letter highlighted reports speculating that Yahoo was considering buying cable assets, including Scripps Networks Interactive Inc and Time Warner's CNN.

Some large shareholders have also reached out directly to Starboard expressing their concern over the media reports, the activist-investor said.

Advertisement

Starboard disclosed a 7.7 million share stake in Yahoo and a 1.9 million share stake in AOL in November.

Yahoo's shares were up 2.4 percent at $49.75, while AOL was up 4.6 percent at $48.27 in afternoon trading on Thursday.

Advertisement

© Thomson Reuters 2015

 

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.

Further reading: AOL, Internet, Yahoo
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. OnePlus 15T Details Revealed; New Telephoto Lens, Bigger Battery Confirmed
  2. iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e: Price, Features and Specifications Compared
  3. Here's When the Oppo K14 5G Will Launch in India: See Expected Specs
  4. iQOO 15R Goes on Sale in India Today: Know Price and Offers
  5. iQOO Z11x 5G Will Launch in India on This Date
  1. NASA’s Carruthers Observatory Begins Mission to Study Earth’s Hydrogen Halo
  2. MacBook Pro (2026) Launched in India With M5 Pro, M5 Max Chips, Up to 16-Inch Display: Price, Specifications
  3. MacBook Air With M5 Chip, Up to 15.3-Inch Display Launched in India
  4. Capcom Spotlight Livestream Announced for This Week; Will Feature Pragmata, Mega Man: Dual Override and More
  5. Tanvi The Great Now Streaming on Prime Video: An Inspiring Autistic Hero’s Journey
  6. Aspirants Season 3 OTT Release Date Announced: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  7. Samsung Announces ‘Holi Hai’ Sale With Cashback on Bespoke AI Appliances
  8. Kiss of the Spider Woman OTT Release Date: Know When and Where to Watch it Online
  9. Vanchana OTT Release: When and Where to Watch the Courtroom Drama
  10. Xiaomi 18, Xiaomi 18 Pro, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max Early Leak Reveals Rear Camera Details
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.