Wallstreet is a little nervious about this talk.
First, Apple recently was running an operating loss, and it is not clear how Vivendi would help its PC sales. I think they should focus on the core of the business to fix the loss (cough, 970).
Second, the two companies are of similar size and face inherit difficulties in bringing the two businesses together (cough, AOL and Time Warner).
Three, Is it all that necessary for Apple to buy Vivendi to support its music distribution service slated for this year. Not really.
The problem is speculation on a uncertain business model if the two companies merge. But, I will tell you, if these two companies merge, Apple better have something really, really good up thier sleeves or else the stock value could drop like a stone -- even at current levels.
Music industry + PC industry = oh, ****
Chad4Mac