RE:RE:RE:Only up from HereThere are many reasons why it could have been done this way but the most likely and logical is that there was a leak. If the leak had credbility then they had an obligation to the shareholders not to let it run unchecked. In cases like that they have to set the record straght ASAP no matter if it a good time or a bad time because the timing is not being determined by them.
Also don't forget that Friday is always better than Monday for bad news. It allows 2 days for people to stop running on emotions before trading resumes. It does not mean it will not drop on Monday but at least it will not be paranoid trading.