There was a niggling theory hanging in the backs of the minds of...

There was a niggling theory hanging in the backs of the minds of many FLC holders. A scary theory. It went something like this:

For Ronald Lauder, was the Fluence merger simply a way to escape his loss-making water company? Was the RWL experience - his passion-project foray into the water industry - a tougher gig than he could have ever expected? Had the experience of the tumultuous PDVSA deal, the delays and political wrangling of San Quintin, the seeming disappearance of the Port Qasim/Aeromix deal, or the failed MOU in Egypt, dampened his enthusiasm for trying to build his legacy water business? Was combining with EMC then just a Hail Mary, hoping for the best....but virtually throwing the towel in?

Got to admit, that theory became more and more worrying as time went on. However, today it has been somewhat alleviated. Ronald Lauder, at least, is still invested in his project. 3,324,011 shares at the price he paid is not an awful lot for a man like RL, that's true. However, it's a symbol that he is not done with this adventure. It's a sign that when his shares come out of escrow in 12 months he might not be seeking to immediately sell them! It's a small sign that he believes in the future of this business, he believes that 54c was a price he was happy to pay as recently as April/May, and that - for me - makes this a reasonably good day.