For an M&A deal to "close" by 12/31/08, my estimate is it would have to be announced by July 31st. There is typically a ton of work to be done to make deals happen plus all the shareholders' approvals etc..etc..etc.. by nature it takes months to finalize.

Thus, if RG is really going to do it, I would look for an announcement of a proposed deal by July 31, and shareholder approval either before, or no later than the October meeting. MO