Microsoft Corp. [MSFT] is for now content to stand pat on its $42 billion offer for Yahoo! Inc. [YHOO] Speaking at the CEBIT trade show in Germany, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Monday said the deal "makes sense with the price and structure that we announced, and we hope that over time that becomes a reality, and we're working toward that."

The executive also said there's been a "range of dialogue" and "range of alternatives" being considered, but would not go into any detail. Ballmer also wouldn't discuss whether Microsoft plans to nominate candidates for Yahoo!'s board of directors in a move to seize control of the company, as has widely been speculated. It would need to file regulatory papers for a proxy fight before March 14.

It's doubtful whether Yahoo! wants to see things get to that point, so expect some more substantive news to break before then. A takeover with a bump from Microsoft's current $31 a share, $42 billion offer still remains the most likely scenario, though Yahoo! may well go down fighting. Shares of Yahoo! were trading at $28 early in Monday's session. - David Shabelman

See March 3 story from Reuters
See March 3 story from Times Online
See Feb. 29 post from CNET News.com
See March 3 post from All Things Digital