Microsoft made an offer $44.6 billion dollars to acquire Yahoo. Microsoft hopes to become more competitive with Google, prompting them to make this move. Steve Ballmer sent a letter to the Yahoo board offering $31 per share.

Do not fear, all you Yahoo stockholders. If the deal is made, then Yahoo stockholders can choose to be given money or Microsoft shares in exchange for their Yahoo stocks.

Microsoft hopes to have this deal done by the second half of the year. Microsoft has been rejected by Yahoo before. Apparently, there have been talks about this since 2006. Taking advantage of Yahoo’s situation, Microsoft made their public offer. Recently, the former CEO of Yahoo who took a position on the board left the Yahoo completely. Also, Yahoo announced that they would have to layoff 1,000 people.

As a result of this public offer, Yahoo’s stock has already risen by 58% to $30.38. Microsoft will have a conference later this morning.