Just found out today that most investment banks including GS...

Just found out today that most investment banks including GS have a time horizon of usually 2-4 months target when they are looking at a Merger/Acquisition.

Usually its not the buyers on their client list that they lack however its the process.

I was told today from a M&A banker at Macquarie that the procedures can be summarised as follow:

1) Internal Due Diligence (done by the analysts internally)

2) Site Visit for Practical Diligence work (obviously to check for issues such as roads, infrastructure etc...also this is done to get a fee for the area such as how well is this project perceived by locals)

3) Independent Valuation (usually undertaken by an independent firm that pecialises in the area)

4) Final Diligence crossing... sometimes another independent valuer is needed here

5) Negotiations for buyer/seller.

6) Legal Preparations

7) Announcement of Success if any

Each Step has a 2-3week tmeframe horizon. which means about 4 months from date of inauguration.

From this I think any final decision may be 2 months away???

So in the meantime if the market gets crushed then MAE short term share price may also take a hit.

This is why they get a $50million fee I guess

Hope this can clarify a few things for people