Yahoo Could Be Near Deal?

In late breaking news Dylan Ratigan says the Wall Street Journal is reporting that a deal between Yahoo! and Microsoft could well be imminent.

If you watch Fast Money, you know that the traders and CNBC's Jim Goldman suspected as much -- way before the Journal.

Background

Earlier in the day Yahoo named Autodesk Chairman Carol Bartz as their new CEO. Known for her no-nonsense approach, some applauded the choice while others saw it as dashing Wall Street's hopes for a chief executive with more experience running an Internet media company.

At the same time Yahoo! President Sue Decker informed the board that she was resigning from her position, explains CNBC’s Jim Goldman.

Remember that co-founder and Chief Executive Jerry Yang agreed in November to step down as CEO.

His resignation capped a tumultuous year during which Yahoo angered many shareholders by rejecting takeover overtures from Microsoft only to see a Web search advertising partnership with Google fall apart under U.S. antitrust scrutiny.

What now?

"Let's face it, Carol Bartz is 60 years old," explains Jim Goldman. "You wonder if she would be the executive for the long-term? I think the message is clear. A deal with Microsoft could be afoot much sooner rather than later."

Fast Money trader Pete Najarian sees the situation much the same way. Not only does he think Bartz will sell off the search engine, but he expects she will then run the media side of the business.

"And don’t forget Bartz turned Autodesk into a major player," adds FM trader Guy Adami.

Is there a trade here?

At current prices the risk isn’t so great, muses Adami. I think you could take a shot.

You can see our entire interview with Jim Goldman about 2 minutes into the Word On the Street video.

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Trader disclosure: On Jan 13, 2009, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Najarian Owns (CSCO) Stock; Najarian Owns (CSCO) Short Calls; Najarian Owns (MSFT) Stock; Najarian Owns (MSFT) Short Calls; Najarian Owns (DNA) Calls; Najarian Owns (XME) Calls; Najarian Owns (NVLS) Calls; Najarian Own (NVDA) Calls; Najarian Owns (MS); Najarian Owns (MS) Short Calls; Najarian Owns (MS) Put Spread; Adami Owns (AGU), (C), (BTU), (GS), (INTC), (MSFT), (NUE); Seymour Owns (BAC), (EEM), (F), (INFY), (EDC); Seymour's Firm is Short (PBR); Finerman's Firm Owns (AEO), (MSFT), (DNA); Finerman's Firm Owns (MSFT) Put Spreads; Finerman's Firm Owns (DNA) call spreads; Finerman's Firm Is Short (IYR), (IJR), (IWM), (MDY), (SPY), (USO), (ANF), (DSX)

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