Alibaba shares fall as Microsoft withdraws Yahoo bid

Hong Kong-lisited shares in Alibaba.com fell 6% on Monday to HK$15.25(US$1.96) after Microsoft abandoned its takeover bid for Yahoo, whichowns 39% of Alibaba Group, Alibaba.com's parent, the South China Morning Post reported.Despite speculation that the decline was caused from Microsoft'swithdrawn takeover bid, some analysts said Monday's drop was mostly dueto profit-taking ahead of the company's quarterly earnings report, duetoday. Alibaba.com's shares had risen 29% to HK$16.20 (US$2.08) fromApril 21 to last Friday. Alibaba.com chief executive David Wei said thewithdrawal of Microsoft's takeover bid for Yahoo had no significantimpact on the industry.