opportunity there could tempt a patient buyer, because it's a big opportunity, says standard & poor's scott kessler. >> most people don't realize that if this company were publicly traded, it could very well be one of the ten largest internet companies, based on market cap, on the planet. >> reporter: if yahoo could spin off its asian business, what would be left behind is an internet turnaround, but one that still has 700 million monthly visitors. >> we think the core of what the company is, which as described repeatedly in recent months, is the premier digital media company. and we think they're going to stick to that vision, because we think it works and we think it's going to be relevant going forward. >> reporter: yahoo's board of directors may decide time is not on their side. waiting for a buyer may worry advertisers. and that could force the company to try to heal itself. >> we think they will end up having to put in a new management team. we think any sort of transaction will be challenging to be able to happen, and we wouldn't put a high degree of likelihood on that occurring. >> reporter