I helped break up one of the largest companies in Western Australia, and all I got were these lousy jellybeans

Earlier this week, I went to the Alinta Scheme Meeting on behalf of my parents, who are Alinta shareholders.

This was because the formerly government-owned natural gas company had received a takeover and breakup offer from investment bank Babcock & Brown (working alongside Singapore Power).

With 97% of the proxy votes (i.e. votes sent by post beforehand) in favour of the acquisition, it was pretty much a fait accompli even though most of the shareholders there were angry that their company was being broken up.

As is usual for corporate meetings, there was free stuff -- tuna sandwiches, drinks, notepads -- but there were also jellybeans! So I feel that much the sweeter for selling Alinta out to these guys.