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Google has reportedly spoken to at least two private equity firms about helping them finance a buyout of Yahoo's core business. According to a source familiar with the matter, the search giant has held early stage discussions with unnamed prospective partners but is yet to put together any formal proposal.</p>
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Google is said to be interested in a deal so it can sell advertising across Yahoo's websites, but representatives for the company have refused to comment further on any speculation.</p>
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In 2008, Microsoft backed down on a $46 billion offer to acquire Yahoo after the latter said it "substantially undervalued" their business -- even though it represented a 62% premium over the company’s stock price at the time.</p>
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A year later Yahoo signed a 10-year search agreement with Microsoft. The Redmond-based software giant is also said to be <a href="https://www.techspot.com/news/45760-report-microsoft-considers-buying-yahoo-again.html">considering</a> a joint bid with private-equity Silver Lake Partners for the ailing Internet company by extending loans to its deal partners and buying preferred stock in Yahoo.</p>
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Yahoo has been in turmoil since it axed former CEO Carol Bartz early <a href="https://www.techspot.com/news/45382-yahoo-board-fires-ceo-carol-bartz-effective-immediately.html">last month</a>. The company retained investment banking firm Allen & Co to help conduct a strategic review of its business and is reportedly working with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles to find a new CEO. While the hunt for a replacement continues, Tim Morse, Yahoo's chief financial officer has taken over the duties of the former CEO.</p>
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Google follows on as the latest company to show interest in purchasing Yahoo, though such a deal would certainly attract anti-trust scrutiny. Silver Lake Partner, Providence Equity Partner, Bain Capital, Hellman & Friedman, Blackstone Group and KKR are among the several private equity firms reportedly considering buyout offers for Yahoo.</p><p><a rel='canonical' href='https://www.techspot.com/news/45977-google-could-back-private-equity-firms-in-yahoo-acquisition.html' target='_blank'>Permalink to story.</a></p><p class='permalink'><a rel='canonical' href='https://www.techspot.com/news/45977-google-could-back-private-equity-firms-in-yahoo-acquisition.html'>https://www.techspot.com/news/45977-google-could-back-private-equity-firms-in-yahoo-acquisition.html</a></p>
