M et C. Appreciate your viewpoint but I think there is little chance of the stock price halfing if the bid does not materialise. We are trading at 83-87 right now and lets say the bid does fail at 1.40p. That's a big difference! Is a failed bid at 1.40p meant to mean that the company isn't even worth 60% of that?
I agree with you that there is a downside but personally I think much of that is already priced in at a sub £1 price tag. You may quote the Canons example to contradict my argument but I don't think this will end up going the same way as I get the feeling a lot more insiders and columnists think this is a realistic price. £2 a share was perhaps too much.
At 83-87 I think there is more to gain than there is to lose. We are all gamblers here (trader = gambler in my book) and a gambler looks at the odds. You place your wedge and takes your chances.