Softbank shares surge on Microsoft's bid for Yahoo

TOKYO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Shares in Japanese Internet and mobile phone service company Softbank Corp (9984.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) shot up on Monday after Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) $44.6 billion bid for Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Softbank holds a 3.9 percent stake in Yahoo Inc in terms of voting rights.

Shares in Softbank were up 15.8 percent at 2,205 yen in early morning trade.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka)