No Decision From Ottawa On BHP/Potash

Canada's government has yet to make a decision on BHP Billiton's BHP $38.6 billion hostile bid for Potash Corp. POT despite the fact that Canadian press reports quoted sources as saying government officials were advocating approval of the bid. The Canadian government has until Wednesday to make a decision. Saskatchewan's provincial government has already voted against the bid, saying it was not in the best interest of the province. Canada's government must review major takeover offers to discern if they have potential net benefit for the country. Potash Corp's shares are expected to fall if the government opts to veto a takeover, as arbitrage traders will dump the stock, according to Reuters.