A California financial analyst has pleaded guilty in New York, admitting he provided insider tips to an SAC Capital portfolio manager.

Sandeep Aggarwal admitted Friday that he provided the tips to the SAC employee and others about a blockbuster deal between Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. Investigators say the information pertained to a secret, pending search engine advertising partnership between the companies.

Aggarwal has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and securities fraud in Manhattan in a cooperation deal. The 40-year-old was arrested in July in San Jose, Calif.

Authorities say they had wiretap evidence from 2009.

Aggarwal told a magistrate judge he provided the tips to boost his standing as an analyst. He says he is "extremely sorry."