As the deadline of Saturday imposed by Microsoft Corp for Yahoo Inc to enter discussions on the former’s buyout bid quickly approaches, Microsoft has been issuing ambiguous comments as to whether it still wants to acquire Yahoo, leaving many to wonder whether the deal is being abandoned. This new round of speculation was set off as a result of Microsoft’s fiscal third-quarter earnings report on Thursday that showed the company’s net income declined by 11 percent. Yet a company spokesman attempted to give a positive spin to the results: “Our third-quarter results demonstrate the benefit of our diversified business model,” said Microsoft CFO Chris Liddell. “Our broad span across geographies, product categories and customer segments is a tremendous asset and supports our outlook for double-digit revenue, operating income and earnings per share growth for this fiscal year and also for fiscal year 2009,” he added. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, however, Mr Liddell appeared to be preparing investors for the abandonment of Microsoft’s plan to buy Yahoo. "Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell seemed to be preparing Wall Street for the prospect of a deal's not happening. Mr. Liddell said 'speed is of the essence' in completing a deal, but the process 'has been anything but speedy,'" The Journal reported in an article on Friday. This raises the question as to whether the company’s Board of Directors are pulling the plug on the buyout bid because of the company’s disappointing earnings.

I've had more fun with computers, over the past 25 years, than a carbon-based creature deserves... However, I have lost confidence in MS to perform, financially speaking... I held a few shares myself, until just a couple of days ago, when it became all too apparent that expectations had exceeeded reality. As much as I enjoy "virtual reality" in games, it drives me nuts, when it becomes involved with my money. I'm sorry, but I have to let someone else hold those shares, for a while, because my nerves can't handle this! When MS gets her ducks in a row and her share price is much, much lower, I will again be more than happy to invest in MS(FT). Bill is still one of my heroes and I believe that his best moments, may still lie ahead of him... That's right, MS will not be the only thing which Bill Gates is remebered for... I believe that his wife has much to do with this for adding Love to that wizard's portfolio! Go Bill!