And since Yahoo allowed Microsoft 's weekend deadline to pass the next move in this Mexican stand-off should come from Microsoft although analysts say that the options are not particularly appealing and some major investors are becoming restless with the lack of progress. 

Furthermore, the consensus among most analysts is that Microsoft needs Yahoo more than Yahoo needs Microsoft, so that it can compete with an increasingly expansive Google. 

So if Microsoft still wants to acquire Yahoo, it really only has three options left: to raise the price, to launch a hostile takeover bid, or to take a break in the hope Yahoo flounders. 

However these options come with caveats: they are expensive and their outcome is uncertain. 

So perhaps a friendly merger is the only option left on the cards for Microsoft.