Not for ASX companies I have worked with, I'd call this very...

Not for ASX companies I have worked with, I'd call this very poorly managed - never announce a trading halt until the deal is rock solid anything to that point is conjecture, use confidentiality agreements and existing insider trading protection to kick in if something leaks in discussions / deal making - but never been involved in still negotiating during a trading halt especially given these big negotiations would go for months.

Are you honestly suggesting companies do trading halts when they are in deal making phase?? What if that phase goes for 6 weeks?? 3 months etc

Dazzling