To avoid publicity and possible rival bids, Apple in some cases has offered a target only a three-hour period in which to accept the terms of a sale, according to one executive with knowledge of the situation.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Also telling:
Counting long-term investments that the company can "liquidate in a day," Apple had $41.7 billion in cash at the end of the last quarter, Broadpoint’s Marshall said. In comparison, Google had about $26.5 billion, he said.
I doubt Apple will be letting Google walk away with one of their acquisition targets so easily in the future.
via Bloomberg.
