Everyone keeps acting like this deal will closed by the 18th. All indications are that it won't. We just haven't seen the things that you see when a giant merger is closing within a few days. (The SEC filings, the delisting of the stock [not removal from the nasdaq-100; actual delisting] , the freezing of options and transactions in the company's retirement accounts, etc.) This stuff is not done instantly. I think this deal is more likely to close than it ever has been, but I'd be absolutely shocked if it happens Monday/Tuesday.
All of that is ignoring that we also don't have the CMA clearance yet, and I still view it as unlikely that the deal closes without it, but even if MSFT were planning that course of action, we'd not be seeing it by the 18th at this point.
Pixis Said:
Yeah - I agree. As you mention, none of the line-up SEC stuff has even been mentioned yet, not to mention nothing from the CMA and the fact there’s the CMC tomorrow to discuss the pause at CAT level. I also found Brad Smith’s tweet earlier somewhat illuminating given he said “after crossing the finish line for the deal’s approval” - which doesn’t smack of Microsoft intending to close imminently. I’d be extremely shocked, put it that way.
