Time For Private Equity At Yahoo

Predictably, Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO) posted a 23% drop in its 4Q07 profit and forecasted 2008 revenues that were below the Street’s expectation. The stock was down over 10% in after-hours trading. The market cap has eroded to the tune of $25 Billion in the last two years. So how do we play the stock going

Read Full Article »

Good Web 2.0 / Web 3.0 Blogs

Okay, so let’s do a quick survey on what we read to keep on top of Web 2.0 / Web 3.0. Here are some from my feed reader. Do share what you like.

Trend Radar 2008: Turnarounds

2008 seems like a year in which several major companies are positioned for turnarounds. Whether or not they would be successful is another matter, but there is enough discontinuity in each of their markets, that turnarounds could happen. Here are some to watch:

Forbes Column 08: eBay’s Bounce-Back Opportunity

Meg Whitman is finally leaving eBay. My Forbes column, eBay’s Bounce-Back Opportunity, discusses what the successor needs to pay attention to, whether it is John Donahoe or otherwise. We have also discussed eBay’s strategy at length in Web 3.0 and eBay and eBay vs Amazon. Today, the determining factor in the eBay vs Amazon debate

Read Full Article »

Trend Radar 2008: Verticalization Everywhere

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know, I am a huge believer in verticalization of the web. In fact, my entire Web 3.0 thesis is based on this idea. In 2007, we saw the beginnings of verticalization. In 2008, I expect this trend to become rampant in all aspects of the

Read Full Article »

Deal Radar 2008: LinkedIn Should Roll-Up Jobs

LinkedIn is a professional business networking site founded by Reid Hoffman in 2003. It allows members to showcase their profiles and caters to the age 25-65 professionals demographic. It generates revenues via subscriptions and advertising. Recruiters use the site to tap talent, and is LinkedIn’s primary revenue generating segment. In 2003, LinkedIn secured $4.7 million

Read Full Article »

Trend Radar 2008: Simplicity in Design

Simplicity and reduction in design are going to be the mantras in 2008, as industrial designers look for ways to make technology more human-centric. We are faced with the daunting challenge of delivering convergence devices with umpteen functions without losing the user. We are also faced with the challenge of delivering highly personalized user experiences

Read Full Article »

News Corp. Charging Ahead

News Corp. has certainly been the most bold and dramatic dealmaker of 2007. Murdoch gets it. WSJ print revenues were up 7% in October and online revenues were up 30%. I have already discussed, why the WSJ acquisition is a good one, and suggested that the WSJ should go free. This week, Bear Sterns Analyst

Read Full Article »