China - as distinct from Hanlong - has lots of high cost domestic capacity low grade already. SDL is a medium grade high total cost (capex +opex) resource
SDL's resource isn't strategically comparable to a true Tier 1 high grade, low cost Pilabara or Simandou.
The IE report has called the existing bid fair (a no brainer when the offer is 25% bigher than market). To expect a counter bid, let alone a counter to a counter is wistful thinking.
SDL Price at posting:
36.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held