RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:I smell $11.00+Exactly, if you are profitable you buy another business or you get bought by a supermajor. Not by a peer.
Assume I am one of the largest shareholder (possibly a hedgefund) of Company A. The company is somewhat profitable but with glaring inefficiencies. Their stock didnt offer any dividends, was very volatile and didnt have any interest in the primary focus area (Midland basin).
Since I am a big fund I have interests in other shale players (company B,C etc) and would like to consolidate and eventually sell out due to volatility of shale. All I have to do is tell company A management I will dump your shares if you don't agree to sell. And if I dump your shares everybody else will follow suit.
Company A gets bought by company B.