Yahoo Inc.
(NDAQ:YHOO) would be worth far more to shareholders if it underwent a
breakup or outsources its web search functionality to Google, according
to an analyst note issued today. Shareholders supported the analysis
with shares jumping over 2 percent in today's action.
Jeffrey
Lindsay, an analyst at Sanford C. Berstein, said Yahoo's shares could
be valued as high as $38.65 per shares compared to its current price of
$27 per share if it underwent a breakup into three units. The Display
Advertising Unit - using DoubleClick's valuation - could be worth $25.5
billion. The Search Unit - using Google and Ask.com valuations - could
be worth $15.6 billion. And finally, its Subscriptions business - using
Match.com and RealNetworks valuations - could be worth $1.3 billion.
Lindsay also
offered a second analysis of what would happen if Yahoo outsouced its
search business to Google. The projections showed search revenues
rising 28% in 2008 bringing total revenues up 16% over current
projections. Meanwhile, the search company could cut 25% of its staff,
which would drop its expenses by 17%. In the end, this would improve
operating income by 205% over current Wall Street estimates.
"It
appears that Yahoo will not take bold measures to right the ship," he
wrote in a research report. "We believe that Yahoo still has a
potentially high intrinsic value. We believe, however, that to stop the
inevitable slide into irrelevance the management team must consider
more radical actions and strategies."
In the end, Yahoo's
management is unlikely to take either action in favor of organicly
growing the company. Unfortunately, the company's main display
advertising business appears to be fledging amid troubles capitalizing
on its ad networks. Meanwhile, its search business continues to be
second to Google. Maybe shareholders should vote Lindsay as director of
the board...
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