By Yi-Wyn Yen
Microsoft needs to get its story straight.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told attendees at a tech research conference in Orlando on Thursday that a deal with Yahoo (YHOO) “makes sense for their shareholders and ours.”
But within an hour of the news, Microsoft (MSFT) spokesman Frank Shaw issued an statement to retract Ballmer’s comments. “Our position hasn’t changed. Microsoft has no interest in acquiring Yahoo!; there are no discussions between the companies,” Microsoft said.
Yahoo spokeswoman Kim Rubey said the company had no comment on Ballmer’s statement. Yahoo’s investors, meanwhile, are loving the idea that Microsoft is even considering returning to the negotiating table. After trading in the $11 range, Yahoo’s shares jumped 10% to $12.93 on Thursday.
