<p>OT - ALU: Of course nothing is absolutely verifiable, but I again checked with my brokerage for any clues as to how the ALU acquisition will be handled tax-wise. They checked (again) with that department and was told two things:</p> <p>1. It will be a taxable event (I don't understand why it's not just seen as a shareswap.)</p> <p>2. They think the date of taxation will be the date that you become the owner of the NOK shares. So far, of course, my ALU shares are in some kind of 'limbo' - I don't own ALU in the common sense of that word, and I don't see any NOK indications on what I do own.)  Why don't they care about welcoming their new 'partner shareholders' from ALU by screwing them on taxation? The best answer I get is that they're likely concerned with/going by Finnish and French requirements, so the rest of the world is not their focus or concern.</p> <p>If I see NOK suddenly appear in my 'positions' page on Dec. 31st at 11pm, I'm not going to be happy.</p> <p>As I've said before, NOK invsetor relations in New York are simply not answering their phones - all busy, all the time. The broker gave me this email address for ALU investors relations: lucentir@alcatel-lucent.com. I wouldn't count on an answer though.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>