Play The Guessing Game: Will EMC Be Acquired, Merge, Or Go It Alone?

The Alternatives: Sale To Or Merge With HP

Talks between HP and EMC about a possible merger of equals appear to have gone to a fairly advanced state, although they seem to have stalled when EMC asked for a premium that HP was unwilling to pay, according to several reports. HP, which went through two messy acquisitions with Autonomy and Palm, may also have been wary about getting EMC.

EMC and HP have been arch-rivals ever since the two went through a messy divorce over 15 years ago despite a long-term relationship under which HP resold EMC storage hardware.

It is unclear how serious the two were about a merger or acquisition this year. It is possible EMC went into discussions with a high price as a way to tell investors, "Hey, we talked, but it didn't work out."