it's so long since i had to take notice of this sort of trading halt that i cant remember the implications! i presume that a trading halt and then the behind-the-scenes bargaining has fewer negative effects on the sp than mfs dumping the lot on the open market.

is there a rule that governs whether a trading halt is necessary?

just remembered -- i was offered a bucket full of npx years ago when there was a 'distressed seller'. the market price dropped to around the behind-the-scenes price, maybe 172c, and then pulled away merrily for years.

it would be wishful thinking to imagine thl 'pulling away merrily for years'. cheers.