Google parent Alphabet (formerly Google) is considering bidding on Yahoo as the deadline for first-round bids approaches. This is particularly interesting considering that regulators shut down a potential Google/Yahoo partnership years ago.
Bloomberg reports that Verizon intends to make a first-round bid next week, and citing a different source, shares the Google news (which comes from a different, unnamed source).
Citing yet another source, it says AT&T, Comcast, and Microsoft have all decided not to bid for now. The report says:
Time Inc. is still evaluating a bid, while private equity funds Bain and TPG — among others — are also planning to make a run at the business, either alone or by backing a strategic acquirer, the people said. While the buyout firms haven’t yet paired themselves with a strategic buyer, they are open to the idea of doing so, the people said.
IAC/Interactive Corp., News Corp, and Disney have all been mentioned as potential suitors at one time or another.
The due date for first-round bids is April 11.
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