Microsoft Corp gave Yahoo Inc no hope of a higher takeover price, saying it was ready to go hostile or even call off its bid if Yahoo maintains “unrealistic expectations” of a better deal.

“Speed is of essence for the deal to make sense,” Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said. If no deal is reached by this weekend, Microsoft will reconsider its offer and reveal new plans next week, he said. “We have yet to see tangible evidence that our bid substantially undervalues the company,” Mr Liddell said. “In fact, we see the opposite,” he added. He reiterated a threat Microsoft made three weeks ago to Yahoo’s board of directors that it would consider cutting its bid and take its case to Yahoo shareholders if a deal is not reached by this Saturday.