Ok I get your logic but if I was a bidder and my bid had been leaked I would walk. It seems more likely to me in your scenario that a fictitious bid would be "leaked".
Also I don't see any takeover bids being entertained in the first place.
I'm not "negative" by saying the share price will slide because in the long term it won't matter. I also refuse to let the Carolyns play with my head.
Cheers!
