During the review, the two companies' stocks collectively increased in value by about $9 billion, presumably in anticipation of the deal's consummation.
People deceive one another for all sorts of reasons: they might lie to stay out of trouble, for example, or to make themselves seem more interesting, or to urge a business deal toward its consummation.
Mr. Schoenfeld said the deal was nowhere near consummation and declined to discuss details. "This is a matter that has to be submitted to the board here," he said.
And if stock prices tank between the time of a deal's announcement and consummation to below 40% of the deal's value, huge tax bills can emerge.
Adding to the pressure a deadline imposes on trade talks, a team's place in the standings often pushes the consummation of deals to the last day.
The indictment also alleged that Goldman's "internal accounting controls could be easily circumvented" and that the culture in Southeast Asia "prioritized consummation of deals" ahead of complying with the law.
Therefore, he said, "consummation of a deal continues to seem likely".
Sprint also notes that the more lawsuits AT&T faces, the tougher a settlement — and consummation of the deal — will be.
In reaching its conclusion that the waiver was enforceable, the Court rejected as nonsensical the Petitioners' argument that the waiver terminated upon consummation of the deal.
The consummation of the deal came after the outgoing owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., who already lost a High Court battle in Britain, agreed to drop their law suit in a Texas court aimed at halting the sale of the debt-laden club.
Take to Auction.com, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said its offer also provided for the sale of Greg Manning's 48-percent-owned Chinese subsidiary, GMAI-Asia.com Inc., before the consummation of the deal.
