Originally Posted by HuntinFishin

Another option is the intent to "short it" they know when the buy rumor falls flat it's going to lose a more than a few points. This would need to be done far enough in advance to avoid investigation by SEC like well before first rumor of the UAL purchase that recently pushed stock price up broke. So that when it falls they can point back to the SELL timming that it was in fact well before first word hit official papers. Strategicaly brilliant kill 2 birds one stone. Hold the pilot group on hope of a rumor of a buy and cash in too.. ruthless CHESS not checkers.